Certain  Sand  Mounds 

OF 

DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA 


TWO  MOULDS  ON  MURPHY  ISLAND,  FLORIDA 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS 

OF  THE 

OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA 


CLARENCE  B.  MOORE 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 


Certain  River  founds  of  [)uval  County,  plorida. 


TWO  Sand  founds  on  ]\/\urphy  [sland,  plorida. 


(Certain  §and  |\/\ounds  of  the  Qck\awaha  River,  plorida. 


BY     CLARKNCE     B.     MOORE. 


FROM  ADVANCE  SHEETS  OF  THE  JOURNAL  OF  THE  ACADEMY 

OF  NATURAL  SCIENCES  OF  PHILADELPHIA,  VOLUME  X. 

PHILADELPHIA,    1895. 


tf 


PHILADELPHIA: 
THE  LEVYTYPE  COMPANY. 


PREFACE. 

The  three  succeeding  papers  give  the  results  of  our  work  in  Florida,  from 
January  Kith  to  .June  10th,  1895.  These  results,  though  mainly  cumulative, 
having  been  arrived  at  with  great  care,  are,  we  think,  worthy  of  publication. 

We  wish  to  return  thanks  for  valuable  assistance  to  Professor  Cope,  to 
Professor  Putnam,  to  Dr.  E.  (Joldsmith,  and  to  Mr.  II.  A.  Pilsbry  for  identification 
of  numerous  shells. 

Again  we  express  our  indebtedness  to  Dr.  M.  (1.  Miller  for  continuous  assist 
ance  in  the  field  and  in  the  preparation  of  these  papers. 

C.   15.   M. 

August,  1895. 


1 I5K41 


Jo/in 


MAP  OF  THE  St  JOHNS  RIVER  FROM 
JACKSONVILLE  TO  THE  SEA 


^Indicates  San 

Scale  .nM.le 

1895. 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUYAL  COUNTY.   FLORIDA 


Bv  CLA HENCE  B.  MOORE. 


Such  mounds  of  Duval  County  as  are  considered  in  this  paper,  border  that 
portion  of  the  river  between  Jacksonville1  and  the  sea.  a  distance  of  about  twenty 
miles  by  water.  The  large  mounds  of  this  territory  have  been  noticed  in  Part  II 
of  our  previous  report.-  the  smaller,  often  slight  elevations,  frequently  covered  with 
underbrush  and  unknown  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  neighborhood,  escaped  our 
notic'.-  during  our  previous  work  in  this  section,  which  was  not  so  thorough  as  that 
on  the  upper  portion  of  the  river  where  the  territory  has  been  gone  over  literally 
dozens  of  times. 

It  is  evident  that  this  part  of  the  river  sustained  a  considerable  population  in 
former  times,  rendered  possible,  perhaps,  by  the  great  abundance  of  oysters  in  the 
waters  near  the  river's  mouth,  where  the  low  marshes  are  still  studded  with  shell- 
heaps  and  a  few  years  back  contained  deposits  of  great  si/.e.:i 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  great  mounds  of  this  portion  of  the  river  resemble 
Mt.  Royal,  near  Lake  (ieorge.  as  to  contents,  while  on  the  other  hand,  the  low. 
irregular  ridge-;  which  seem  characteristic  of  the  extreme  lower  portion  of  the 
river,  differ  considerably  in  the  nature  of  the  objects  inhumed,  from  tin-  mounds 
of  tin1  St.  .Johns  farther  south.  Mica,  so  abundant  in  these  low  mounds  and  ridges, 
was  rarely  met  with  and  in  but  small  quantities  on  the  river  south  of  .Jackson 
ville.4  Again,  deposits  of  numerous  pebbles  and  pebble  hammers  together,  almost 
unknown  on  the  upper  river,  were  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  low  mounds 
near  the  sea.  The  same  may  be  said  of  numbers  of  mussel  shells  buried  in  associa 
tion. 

One  point  characterizing  this  whole  region,  the  low  mounds  in  common  with 
the  great,  was  the  comparative  abundance  of  tobacco  pipes.  From  all  the  sand 
mounds  south  of  .Jacksonville  but  seven  tobacco  pipes  rewarded  our  labors,  while 
over  double  this  number  were  taken  from  a  circumscribed  district  between  .Jack 
sonville  and  the  sea. 

1  The  reader  will  bear  in  mind  that  the  St.  Johns,  whose  general  Bourse  above  is  south   to  north, 
tuniH  abruptly  to  the  east  at  Jacksonville. 

2  "Certain  Sand  Mounds  of  the  St.  Johns  River,  Florida,"   Jour.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  Vol.  X. 

3  Stowe  Island,  in  the  Sisters  Creek,  when  first  visited  by  us,  had  a  deposit  of  oyster  shells  thirty 
feet  in  height.     Since  that  time  the  mass  has  been  reduced  by  shipments  to  the  jetties. 

*  Abundance  of  mica  was  present  in  one  mound  of  the  Ocklawaha. 


8      CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

The  grooved  axe,  present  in  Georgia  and  farther  north,  was  absent  from  the 
mounds  of  this  section  in  common  with  those  of  other  portions  of  Florida  investi 
gated  by  us. 

Mounds  Described  in  this  Paper. 

Johnson  Mound.  Broward  Mound. 

Shields  Mound.  Reddie  Point  (2). 

Gilbert  Mound.  Daniel's  Landing. 

Monroe  Mound.  Denton  Mound. 

Grant  Mound.  Chaseville  (2). 
Low  Mounds  South  of  Grant  Mound  (5).         Alicia  (2). 

Horseshoe  Landing  (3).                                        Floral  Bluff. 

JOHNSON  MOUND. 

This  symmetrical  and  previously  uninvestigated  mound  lay  in  the  pine  woods 
about  one-half  mile  in  a  northerly  direction  from  the  first  landing  on  St.  Charles 
Creek,  a  stream  emptying  into  the  St.  Johns  just  east  of  the  town  of  New  Berlin. 

The  mound,  which  had  a  height  of  7  feet  4  inches  and  a  diameter  at  the  base 
of  65  feet,  was  totally  destroyed  with  the  courteous  consent  of  the  owner,  William 
A.  Johnson,  Esq.,  of  Wilmington,  N.  C. 

The  mound  was  composed  of  a  peculiarly  dry  sand  of  a  light  yellow  shade, 
with  occasional  bits  of  charcoal  scattered  throughout  and  a  limited  number  of  fire 
places.  Pockets  of  sand  tinged  cherry  color  by  the  artificial  use  of  the  red  oxide 
of  iron,  increasing  in  number  and  in  size  toward  the  center,  were  encountered 
throughout  the  mound. 

In  all,  human  remains  were  met  with  at  eleven  points.  In  one  case  the  burial 
was  in  anatomical  order.  In  the  remainder  but  limited  portions  of  the  skeleton 
were  represented.  The  bones  were  past  all  possibility  of  preservation — a  some 
what  peculiar  fact  in  view  of  the  dry  condition  of  the  sand. 

Sherds  were  very  limited  in  number,  the  majority  being  undecorated,  though 
three  or  four  bore  a  complicated  stamped  pattern.  No  vessels  or  considerable 
portions  of  vessels  were  encountered. 

Singly,  loose  in  the  sand,  were:  three  arrowheads;  one  bit  of  mica;  a  small 
"  celt  "  and  several  pebbles. 

With  human  remains  was  a  portion  of  a  conch  (pulgur). 

Three  feet  from  the  surface,  with  a  few  decaying  fragments  of  human  bones, 
were  two  fiat  pieces  of  fine-grained  sandstone,1  one  roughly  given  the  shape  of  a 
hatchet,  the  other  resembling  a  keystone —  a  form  sometimes  met  with  in  Florida 

1  The  rocks  from  which  were  made  the  various  objects  of  stoue,  described  in  this  paper  and  the  two 
succeeding  ones,  have  been  determined  with  care  by  Dr.  E.  Goldsmith  of  the  Academy  of  Natural 
Sciences  of  Philadelphia.  Exact  determination  has  not  been  possible  as,  fearing  to  mutilate  specimens, 
we  have  not  furnished  material  for  microscopic  slides  and  for  chemical  analysis,  which  the  careful  petrol- 

ogist  requires. 


CERTAIN    RIVER    MOUNDS   OF    DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  <J 

mounds.  With  these  were:  a  pebble  about  two  inches  in  diameter;  a  coarse  sand 
stone  hone;  seventeen  chips  of  chert;  two  columelhw  of  marine  univalves  with  part 
of  another;  a  portion  of  the  body  whorl  of  a  conch;  one  incisor  of  a  large  rodent, 
and  several  masses  of  certain  fresh-water  mussels — three  to  four  dozen  in  all — laid 
one  within  the  other.  These  mussels,  Unio  Sheparctianus,  Lea.1  are  not  reported 
farther  south  than  Georgia  nor  are  any  fresh-water  mussels  present  in  the  tide 
water  of  this  portion  of  the  St.  Johns  or  of  its  tributary  creeks.  Moreover,  the 
mussels  of  the  St.  Johns  are  distinctive.  These  shells  were  doubtless  an  importa- 


Fio.  1.— Mussel  shell  used  as  knife.     Johnson  Mound.    (Full  size.) 

tion,  and,  as  Fig.  1  shows,  were  peculiarly  adapted  for  use  as  knives,  for  which  we 
know  mussel  shells  to  have  been  employed  by  the  later  Indians." 

Almost  in  the  immediate  center  of  the  mound,  separately,  were:  a  tubular 
bead  of  sheet  copper;  a  fragment  of  sheet  copper  about  1  inch  by  1.5  inches;  a 
minute  bit  of  the  same  material,  and  a  portion  of  a  sheet  copper  ornament  about  5 
inches  long  with  an  average  width  of  2.5  inches.  This  fragment  lay  with  human 
remains  about  4.5  feet  from  the  surface  and  was  too  badly  decayed  for  determina 
tion  as  to  its  original  shape. 

Nothing  in  the  Johnson  mound  gave  any  evidence  of  intercourse  with  the 
Whites. 

SHIELDS  MOUND. 

The  Shields  mound,  near  Newcastle,  in  section  35,  township  1,  has  been  briefly 
noticed  by  us  in  our  report  on  the  mounds  of  the  St.  Johns,:i  where  it  is  described 
as  a  mound  near  Mill  Cove.  As  all  our  readers  may  not  have  access  to  the  work  in 
question,  at  the  risk  of  repetition,  we  give  certain  details  as  to  size  and  shape  of  the 
mound. 

About  150  yards  from  the  river's  bank,  which  at  this  point  forms  a  blurt'  com 
manding  the  stream  for  miles,  is  a  great  platform  mound  entirely  unlike  in  form 

1  "  Observations  on  L'nio,"  I,  Plate  XIII,  Fig.  38 

'•'  "  A  jiair  of  iniiHsel  shells  shari>ened  on  a  gritty  stone."  Heckewelder's  "  Indian  Nations,"  page 
:>05.  Cited  by  Holmes. 

:)  "  Certain  Sand  Mounds  of  the  St.  Johns  Hiver,  Florida,"  Part  II,  Jour.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  Vol.  X. 

2  JOURX.  A.  X.  S.  PHI  LA..  Vol..   X. 


CERTAIN    RIVER    MOUNDS   OF    DUVAL   COUNTY.   FLORIDA.  11 

any  aboriginal  earthwork  on  the  river.  Its  shape  is  not  circular,  as  we  have 
stated  in  our  report,  but  slightly  oblong  with  rounded  corners;  its  base  diameter, 
about  214  feet;  the  diameter  of  its  summit  plateau,  115  feet  by  133  feet.  Situate 
upon  rolling  ground,  its  height  depends  upon  the  point  from  which  the  measure 
ment  is  taken,  a  fair  average  being  18  feet.  A  graded  way  leads  up  to  the  summit 
plateau  on  the  side  toward  the  river,  while  certain  curious  ridges,  one  running 
directly  from  the  mound,  extend  in  a  southerly  direction  for  a  considerable  distance 
in  the  rear  until  lost  in  the  surrounding  level.  Investigation  indicated  these  ridges 
to  have  been  made  for  some  purpose  other  than  sepulture.  We  are  largely 
indebted  to  F.  W.  Bruce,  Esq.,  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  Govern 
ment  at  the  jetty  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Johns,  for  the  accompanying  plan  and  ele 
vation  of  the  Shields  mound  and  its  adjuncts  (Fig.  2).  We  have  requested  Dr. 
M.  G.  Miller,  who  assisted  at  the  survey,  to  notice  these  curious  ridges  in  detail. 

••  From  the  southern  margin  of  the  mound  a  long  ridge  (see  plan)  runs  in  a 
southerly  direction  for  a  distance  of  about  500  feet.  With  a  height  of  about  one 
foot  where  it  joins  the  mound,  the  ridge  gradually  rises  until  at  C  it  attains  an 
altitude  of  8  feet  10  inches  above  the  level  to  the  east.  Beyond  C  is  a  marked 
depression  from  which  the  ridge  again  rises,  reaching  its  greatest  altitude,  13  feet 
8  inches,  at  D,  from  which,  making  an  abrupt  turn  northward,  it  descends  gradually 
to  the  point  E.  The  southern  slope  at  D  is  so  abrupt  as  to  be  difficult  of  ascent. 

"  From  C  a  narrow  terrace  leads  down  the  eastern  side  of  the  main  ridge 
and  continues,  with  gradually  decreasing  altitude  to  F  from  where  a  low  ridge, 
varying  in  height  from  ten  inches  to  six  inches,  extends  a  distance  of  about  350 
feet,  to  be  lost  in  the  surrounding  territory. 

"About  eighty-five  feet  to  the  west  of  this  is  a  similar  low  ridge,  G,  leading 
northward  along  the  margin  of  a  well  marked  terrace,  II. 

••  Limited  by  this  terrace  and  the  main  ridge  is  a  basin,  I.  which  has  two 
outlets,  one  at  E  leading  to  the  space  between  the  two  low  ridges,  and  the  other 
at  J,  between  the  mound  and  the  terrace  H  as  it  turns  to  the  west. 

"About  600  yards  southwest  of  the  mound  lies  a  small  lake,  to  which  the 
space  between  the  low  ridges  F  and  G  may  have  served  as  a  covered  way. 
Unfortunately,  the  territory  in  which  these  ridges  lie  has  been  under  cultivation 
and  it  is  impossible  to  decide  as  to  their  original  extent  and  character. 

•'At  ab,  cd,  ef,  gh.  ij.  are  given  the  contours  between  corresponding  points 
on  the  plan,  while  at  XY  is  given  the  sectional  elevation  of  the  mound  and  main 
ridge." 

EXCAVATIONS. 

Seventeen  days  of  seven  hours  each  during  parts  of  April  and  May,  1895, 
with  an  average  force  of  thirty-one  men,  exclusive  of  those  engaged  in  directing  the 
work,  were  devoted  to  the  investigation  of  the  Shields  mound. 

The  entire  mound  was  encircled  somewhat  above  the  maririn  of  the  base  and 


12 


CERTAIN   RIVER   MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


FIG.  8.  Diagram  of  excavations  in  Shields  mound. 
Clear  space  represents  portion  excavated  to  base  ; 
section  lines,  portion  excavated  to  depth  of  seven 
feet. 


work  prosecuted  for  about  two  days,  the  discovery  of  a  few  interments,  none  over 

three  feet  from  the  surface,  being  the  only  result. 

Next,  the  entire  eastern  slope,  com 
mencing  a  little  in  from  the  margin,  was 
removed  for  a  distance  of  twenty-seven 
feet,  where  the  trench,  at  this  point  175 
feet  in  breadth,  had  approached  to  with 
in  eleven  feet  in  a  horizontal  line  of  the 
edge  of  the  summit  plateau.  From  this 
point  the  trench,  reduced  to  a  breadth 
of  115  feet,  was  carried  along  the  base, 
as  before,  a  farther  distance  of  twenty 
one  feet,  or  ten  feet  beyond  the  margin 
of  the  plateau,  as  shown  by  accompany 
ing  diagram  (Fig.  o). 

In  this  considerable  portion  of  the 
mound  comparatively  few  interments 
were  found — possibly  two  dozen — none 
at  a  greater  depth  than  three  feet,  nor 
were  there  any  accompanying  relics, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  shell  beads. 
Next,  the  entire  plateau,  with  about  five  feet  of  adjacent  slope  was  dug 

through  to  a  depth  of  from  six  to  eight  feet  from  the  surface. 

COMl'OSITIOX    OF    MOUND. 

No  uniform  stratification  is  apparent  in  the  Shields  mound.  The  base 
is  not  absolutely  determinable,  though  a  streak  of  sand  from  two  to  six  inches 
in  thickness,  discolored  by  charcoal,  was  taken  as  indicating  it,  the  light  yellow 
sand  beneath  it  being  free  from  admixture  of  any  foreign  substance.  Above  this 
was  a  stratum  of  dark  yellow  sand  from  three  to  five  feet  in  thickness,  contain 
ing  considerable  charcoal  in  scattered  particles,  and  this  stratum  continued  to 
the  point  where  the  investigation  ceased.  Above  it  the  composition  of  the 
mound  varied  at  every  stage  of  the  digging.  Yellow  sand,  yellowish  brown  sand 
streaked  with  small  layers  of  white  sand,  pockets  of  gray  sand  calcined  by  fire 
with  abundant  charcoal,  small  pockets  of  brick  red  sand  and  layers  and  pockets 
of  oyster  shells  and  midden  refuse  containing  sherds  and  fragmentary  bones  of 
lower  animals,  made  up  an  almost  indescribable  whole.  In  the  central  portion 
of  the  broad  summit  plateau,  extending  to  the  eastern  margin,  was  a  very  irreg 
ular  layer,  at  places  five  feet  in  thickness,  though  this  was  exceptional.  This 
layer,  varying  in  shade  from  light  chocolate  to  brick  red,  was  due  to  intentional 
admixture  of  the  red  oxide  of  iron  with  the  sand — a  practice  whose  occurrence 
is  frequently  noted  in  our  report  on  the  mounds  of  the  St.  Johns. 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF    DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  13 

We  append  a  description  of  a  fairly  representative  section  of  the  mound  taken 
at  the  junction  of  the  eastern  slope  with  the  summit  plateau,  going  down : 

2  feet,  8  inches — Sand  of  brick  red  and  of  chocolate  color. 
11  feet,  8  inches — Irregular  and  local  strata;  pockets  of  gray  sand  showing  effects 

of    fire,    with    much    charcoal;  occasional    pockets    of   shell; 

pockets  of  yellow  sand  darkened   by   plentiful    admixture   of 

charcoal. 
2  feet,  8  inches — To  base.     Pure  yellow  sand  with  occasional  particles  of  charcoal. 

lir.MAX    REMAINS. 

In  that  portion  of  the  mound  beneath  the  plateau,  interments  were,  as  a  rule,  in 
the  last  stage  of  decay,  frequently  marked  by  a  few  crumbling  fragments,  isolated 
teeth,  or  even  a  line  of  small  disintegrating  particles  of  bone — hardlv  more  than  a 
yellowish  stain.  It  was.  therefore,  impossible  to  give  the  exact  number  of  inter 
ments  met  with,  or.  in  many  cases,  to  determine  the  form  of  burial.  At  not  less 
than  150  points  human  remains  were  encountered,  presenting  both  methods  of 
sepulture — the  bunched  variety  and  the  burial  in  anatomical  order.  In  most  cases, 
careful  examination  showed  an  unnatural  juxtaposition  indicating  the  interment  of 
the  remains  when  denuded  of  flesh. 

With  four  exceptions,  when  the  burials  were  encountered  at  a  depth  of  six 
feet,  all  human  remains  lay  within  four  feet  of  the  surface. 

In  the  western  portion  of  the  plateau,  six  feet  from  the  surface,  virtually  in 

contact,  were  six  crania  associated  with  but  one 
vertebra  and  two  clavicles.  This  burial,  how-- 

r*-*^  ^-tla     i*>h  ~r   .     . .. 

ever,  was  entirely  exceptional. 

In  the  central  portion  of  the  summit  plateau. 
3.5  feet  from  the  surface,  was  a  quantity  of  small 
fragments  of  human  bones  and  of  bones  of  lower 
animals,  charred  and  calcined.  With  them  were 
a  number  of  human  bones  entirely  unaffected  by 
fire. 

Two  pathological  specimens  and  a  number 
of  platycnemic   tibia>   were  sent  to  the   United 
States  Army  Medical   Museum  at  Washington. 
One  of  these  tibia1  had  an  index  of  fifty;  that 
Km.  4.  Sherd  with  Btampe,!  deroration.     is  t()  say.  its  lateral  diameter  was  but  one-half 
Shields  Mound.    (Full  size.)  of  the  diameter  taken  antero-posteriorly  at  the 

point  of  entrance  of  the  nutrient  artery.     This 

is  the  lowest  index  ever  met  with  by  us  in  Florida  or  recorded  by  anyone  as  from 
that  State.  Most  of  our  readers  will  recall,  however,  that  platycnemia  is  no  longer 
regarded  as  a  racial  characteristic. 

No  crania  were  recovered  save  in  fragments. 


1 1 


CERTAIN    RIVER    MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


EARTHENWARE. 

Occasional  sherds  were  met  with  in  all  parts  of  the  mound,  especially  with  the 
midden  refuse.  In  the  material  beneath  the  summit  plateau,  so  far  as  explored 
by  us,  they  were,  however,  infrequently  encountered,  though  at  times  oblong  pieces 
and  triangular  bits,  doubtless  intentionally  given  the  outline  of  the  arrow  point, 
were  encountered  in  close  association  with  human  remains.  Undecorated  earthen 
ware  predominated.  The  square  and  the  diamond-shaped  stamps  were  represented 
with  the  occasional  occurrence  of  the  complicated  stamped  decoration,  though  not 
of  the  patterns  found  so  abundantly  in  several  neighboring  low  mounds,  but  want 
ing  in  the  great  (Irant  mound  less  than  one  mile  distant.  Fig.  4  shows  a  com 
plicated  stamped  decoration  from  the  Shields  mound. 

Portions    of   two    vessels    in    fragments,   with    cord-marked    decoration,  were 


FIG.  o.    Toy  vessel  of  earthen 
ware.    Shields  mound.    (Full 

size.) 


FIG.  6.     Bird-shaped  vessel  of  earthenware. 
Shields  Mound.     (Full  si/,e.) 


colored  inside  and  out  with  crimson  pigment.  Margins  corresponding  to  missing 
parts  gave  evidence  of  ancient  fracture,  and  it  was  clear  that  here,  as  in  many 
other  mounds  demolished  by  us.  broken,  and  consequently  otherwise  useless,  vessels 
had  been  utilized  for  mortuary  purposes. 

During  the  investigation,  nine  entire  vessels,  none  of  so  much  as  one  quart 
capacity,  were  met  with,  including  three  unfortunately  badly  broken  at  the  time  of 
discovery.  None  were  of  special  interest  as  to  shape  or  decoration,  and  all  were 
imperforate  as  to  the  base,  if  we  except  a  toy  vessel  shown  in  Fig.  5. 

A  diminutive  vessel,  representing  a  sitting  bird  and  to  a  certain  extent  recall 
ing  Tennessee  forms  of  earthenware,  was  the  only  variation  from  common  types 
(Fig.  6).  Height,  2  inches;  length,  3  inches;  depth  of  bowl.  .8  of  one  inch. 

Two  tobacco  pipes  of  earthenware  were  found  during  the  investigation.  One, 
of  ordinary  type,  somewhat  broken,  had  an  encircling  line  of  indentations  just  be 
neath  the  outer  margin  of  the  bowl. 


y 


Tobacco  pipe  of  earthenware.     Shields  Mound. 
(Full  size.) 


im 


Flo.  9.     "Celt"  of  »late,  with  double  groove.     Shields 
Mound.    (Full  size.) 


Fia.  8.     Polinhed  hatchet  of  igneous  rock.  Fiu.  10.     Implement  of  «ediinentary  rock.     Shield*  Mound. 

Sllii'lll-i    Miilllnl  lull-,-,  .   l''llll    -I/I- 


16  CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF    DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

The  other,  an  interesting  specimen,  was  decorated  as  shown  in  Fig.  7.     Maxi 
mum  length,  1.7  inches;  height,  1.5  inches. 


Polished  Hatchets. — Twelve  polished  hatchets,  or  "  celts,"  were  taken  from 
the  Shields  mound.  Their  material  has  not  been  exactly  determined.  One,  of 
fine-grained,  compact  rock  of  igneous  origin,  was  within  a  small  fraction  of  13 
inches  in  length,  which  is  considerably  more  than  that  of  any  hatchet  heretofore 
met  with  by  us  in  Florida,  and  close  to  the  limit  of  length  attained  by  any  other 
so  far  reported  from  any  section  (Fig.  8). 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  E.  P.  Upham,  of  the  National  Museum,  for  the  infor 
mation  that  a  polished  "celt"  from  Alabama,  13.5  inches  in  length,  is  probably  the 
longest  in  that  institution. 

One  small  '•  celt "  of  slate,  3  inches  in  length,  has  two  deep  transverse  parallel 
grooves  on  one  side  and  a  single  one  on  the  other  (Fig.  9).  These  grooves  may 
have  been  made  by  the  sharpening  of  implements.  If  not,  and  the  grooves  were 
made  for  purposes  of  attachment  to  a  handle,  this  is  the  nearest  approach  to  the 
grooved  axe  ever,  we  believe,  reported  from  Florida. 

A  chisel  of  sedimentary  clay  rock,  8.6  inches  in  length,  was  the  only  imple 
ment  of  the  type  discovered  in  the  mound. 

A  handsome  cutting  implement  of  fine-grained  sedimentary  rock  differed  some 
what  in  form  from  any  Florida  implement  we  have  seen  (Fig.  10). 

Arrow  and  Lance  Points. —  In  the  Grant  mound,  less  than  one  mile  away,  as 
we  shall  presently  see,  arrow  and  lance  points  were  of  comparative  rarity.  In  the 
Shields  mound,  on  the  contrary,  they  formed  an  important  feature  among  the 
mortuary  inhumations.  In  all,  one  hundred  and  fourteen  were  taken  from  the 
mound,  the  great  majority  of  chert,  a  few  of  hornstone  and  of  chalcedony.  Numer 
ous  types  and  sizes  are  represented,  none  offering  any  unusual  feature.  On  the 
tangs  of  some,  considerable  bitumen  adheres  showing  the  method  of  attachment  to 
the  shaft. 

It  is  possible  that  some  of  the  points  classed  by  us  as  arrow  heads  may 
have  served  as  knives,  fastened  into  short  handles  for  the  purpose.  Fig.  11 
shows  a  number  of  selected  lance  and  arrow  points  from  the  Shields  mound. 

Tubes  of  natural  formation. — These  objects,  probably  natural  formations 
around  some  perishable  material,  such  as  wood,  are  occasionally  found  in  the 
Florida  mounds  and  were  no  doubt  utilized  as  ornaments,  though  the  larger  may 
have  served  in  lieu  of  tobacco  pipes.  Twenty-six  of  these  objects,  from  1  inch  to 
4.5  inches  in  length,  were  taken  from  the  mound,  and  in  every  case,  where  deter 
mination  was  possible,  they  were  found  with  human  remains.  One  of  these  curi 
ous  objects  is  figured  in  Part  I  of  our  Report  as  coming  from  Mt.  Royal.1 

Spade-shaped  implements. — This  curious  type,  discussed  at  some  length  in 
Part  I,  has  been  reported  from  Florida  we  believe,  by  us  alone,  three  specimens 


i*M{ 


. 


r>  *r      >A 


•     x 


Fio.  11.    Arrow  and  lance  points.    Shields  mound.    (Full  ni/.e.) 


3  JOUKN.  A.  N.  S.  PHILA..  VOL.  X. 


having  been   taken  by  us  from 
Mt.  Royal.     Two  of  these  im 
plements,  about  fourteen  inches 
and  eight  inches  in  length  re- 
pectively,  were  taken  from  the 
Shields  mound,  associated  with 
human    remains.     They    are 
probably  of  saussurite,  though 
for   obvious    reasons    we    have 
not    permitted    mutilation    for 
microscopic    examination.      In    type    they    differ 
somewhat    from  the   Mt.  Royal  specimens.      The 
end   of  the   shaft  is  neither  tapered  nor  squared 
but  left  rough    and    unfinished.      The  wings  are 
much  broader,  those  of  the  larger  specimen  being 
about  3. To  inches  across.      Each  has  four  nicks, 
or  tally  marks,    on    each    wing.     The 
shown  in  Fig.  1'2. 

Gorgets. — With  a  small  earthenware  vessel 
and  human  remains  was  a  pebble  of  sedimentary 
origin,  pierced  through  the  center.  A  little  to 
one  side  of  the  perforation  another  had  been 
attempted  and  abandoned. 

A  fragment  of  clear  quart/,  crystal,  1.4 
inches  in  length,  found  loose  in  the  sand,  forms 
part  of  what  must  have  been  a  beautiful  pendant, 
flat  on  one  side,  convex  on  the  other.  It  is 
grooved  for  suspension. 

A  gorget,  in  the  form  of  a  double  bladed 
axe,  of  the  type  figured  by  us1  in  Part  II  as 
coming  from  the  smaller  mound  at  Thornhill 
Lake,  Volusia  County,  was  found  at  a  depth  of 
one  foot,  where  it  lay  with  two  arrowheads. 
The  material  is  of  dark  chocolate  claystone 
beautifully  banded.  Height,  two  inches  ;  breadth, 
about  2.5  inches;  maximum  thickness,  about  .7 
of  one  inch. 

Another  graceful  ornament  of  a  schistose 
rock  of  slaty  texture,  lay  at  a  depth  of  three 
feet,  with  human  remains.  It  is  doubly  perforated 

1   Op.  cit. 


; 


FIG.  12.     Spade-nhaped  implement.     Shields  mouiid. 
(Two  inches  removed  from  handle.) 


CERTAIN  KIVKR  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


19 


and  has  many  notches  at  either  end.      Length,  4.5  inches;  breadth,   1.7  inches; 
thickness,  .4  of  one  inch  (Fig.  13). 


KIU.  13. — Pendant  of  schistose  rock.     Shields  mound. 
(Full  size.) 

Four  feet  from  the  surface,  with  the  small  earthenware  pipe  already  figured 
and  two  arrowheads,  was  a  gorget,  probably  of  soft  clay-stone,  shown   in   Fig.   14. 


FIG.  14.     Gorget  of  soft  claystoue.     Shields  mound.     (Full  Hixe.) 

Breadth,  about  3.4  inches;  height,  1.7  inches  ;  maximum  thickness.  .0  of  one  inch. 
A  curious  little  boat-shaped  pendant,  presumably  of  soft  clavstone.  of  a  form 
new  to  us,  was  found  with  human  re 
mains  and  numerous  shell  beads,  three 
feet  from  the  surface.  A  perforation 
at  either  end  serves  for  suspension.  A 
deep  groove  not  possible  to  show  in 
the  cut  is  on  the  base.  A  perforation 
at  either  end  served  for  suspension. 
Height,  1.3  inches;  width,  2.7  inches; 
maximum  thickness.  1.1  inches  (Fig. 
15). 


A    small    sedimentary    pebble    evi- 


Fio.  15.     Boat-shaped  pendant.     Shield*  mound. 
(Full  size.) 


20 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


dcntly  split  during  perforation,  lay  beneath  a  cranium,  three  feet  below  the  surface. 
With  the  two  parts  were  an  arrowhead  and  a  chip  of  chert. 

Tobacco  pipe. — But  one  tobacco  pipe  of  stone  came  from  the  Shields  mound. 
The  material  was  Steatite  and  the  type  that  of  other  stone  pipes  of  the  neighbor 
hood.  It  was  associated  with  human  remains  at  a  depth  of  three  feet,  and  with 
it  were  an  arrowhead  and  a  few  shell  beads.  Height,  3.7  inches;  maximum 
length,  3.8  inches;  orifice  of  bowl,  1.4  inches  by  1.5  inches;  orifice  of  stem.  1.2 
inches  by  1.3  inches  (Fig.  16). 


FIG.  ifi.    Tobacco  pipe  of  soapstone.    Shields  mound. 

(Full  size.) 


Section  of  Fig.  17 


Fio.  IT.     Weapon  of  chipped  chert.     Shields  mound. 
(Full  si/e.) 


CERTAIN   RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


Miscellaneous. — Two  and  one  half  feet  from  the  surface,  in  a  mass  of  crimson 
pigment,  with  human  remains,  was  a  double  pointed  implement — possibly  a  weapon — 
of  chipped  chert,  about  seven  inches  in  length  with  a  maximum  thickness  of  .8  of 
one  inch.  The  section  is  triangular.  The  cut  fails  clearly  to  represent  the  two 
sides  of  the  triangle.  This  type,  so  far  as  our  experience  extends,  has  not  hereto 
fore  been  discovered  in  Florida  mounds  (Fig.  17). 

Together,  with  human  remains,  1.5  feet  from  the  surface,  were  :  a  leaf-shaped 
implement  of  chipped  chert,  one  end  unfortunately  missing,  with  a  length  of  5.5 
inches,  and  a  maximum  thickness  of  about  .4  of  one  inch  ;  a  portion  of  a  dagger 
or  lance  head  about  4.5  inches  in  length,  probably  of  crvstalized 
sandstone  ;  a  sandstone  hone,  and  a  part  of  the  lower  jaw  of 
a  bear. 

One  implement  of  chert  was  rudely  chipped  to  serve  as 
a  hammer. 

One  bit  of  sandstone,  about  the  si/.e  of  half  of  a  closed 
hand,  had  a  considerable  cavity  worked  for  some  unknown 
purpose. 

Two  cylindrical  beads  of  undetermined  rock  were  found 
together,  while  from  another  portion  of  the  mound  came  a 
part  of  what  had  been  a  beautiful  bead  or  small  pendant  of 
red  jasper,  oblong  with  rounded  corners. 

Three  small  cubes  of  galena  came  from  various  depths. 
Throughout    that    portion    of   the    mound    beneath    the 
summit   plateau  were  broken  arrowheads,  chips  and  spalls  of 
chert,  bits  of  sandstone  and   quart/,  pebbles,  found  singlv. 
But  one  or  two  small  sheets  of  mica  were  encountered. 


IP 

FIG.  18.         Fio.  19. 
Portions  of  bone  pinn. 
Shields  mound. 

(Full  size.) 


Bone  [tins  in  considerable  numbers  were  present  in  the 
Shields  mound,  often  six  or  more  with  one  interment.  Their 
condition,  as  a  rule,  was  fragmentary,  none  being  so  well  pre 
served  or  so  artistically  carved  as  those  we  have  figured  in 
another  report  as  coming  from  the  Tick  Island  mound, 
Volusia  County,  Florida.  Some  show  certain  attempts  at 
decoration  (Figs.  18  and  I!)),  while  others  have  rudely 
carved  heads.  In  other  cases  a  shank  projecting  from  the 
upper  end  shows  traces  of  bitumen,  indicating  the  former 
presence  of  a  head  of  some  perishable  material,  probably 
wood. 

In  close  proximity  to  human  remains  was  a  section1  of 
a  leg  of  a  turkey — doubtless  a  wild  turkey,  though  determi 
nation  is  impossible — with  the  core  of  a  spur.  It  is  not 
'  Turso-metatareal. 


22 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,   FLORIDA. 


unlikely  that  this  portion  of  a,  turkey  leg  and  spur  may  have  been  used  as  a 
decoration  for  the  lobe  of  the  ear.  At  the  time  of  the  occupation  of  the 
mouth  of  the  St.  Johns  by  the  French  protestants,  in  the  third  quarter  of  the 
sixteenth  century,  it  was  customary  for  the  aborigines  to  wear  ornaments  of 
considerable  size  buttoned  into  or  thrust  through,  the  lobe  of  the  ear.  In  Fig.  20 

we  reproduce  a  portrait  of  an  In 
dian  warrior  decorated  with  the 
leg  and  claws  of  some  large  bird, 
from  Plate  XIV  of  the  "  Brcvis 
Narratio"1  The  artist,  Jaques 
Le  Moyne,  was  one  of  the  few 
survivors  of  the  ill-fated  garrison 
of  Fort  Caroline,  massacred  in 
time  of  peace  by  the  Spaniards, 
"  not  as  Frenchmen,  but  as 
Lutherans."  Fort  Caroline  can 
not  have  been  much  over  one 
league  distant  from  the  Shields 
mound. 

COPPER. 


Considering  the  interesting 
types  in  stone  taken  from  the 
Shields  mound,  one  would  look 
for  more  varied  forms  in  copper. 
In  addition  to  a  number  of  frag 
ments  of  sheet  copper  five  small 
sheets  of  familiar  type  were  taken 
separately  from  various  depths. 

A  portion  of  a  large  undeco- 
rated  ornament  of  sheet  copper, 
centrally  perforated.  6.5  inches 
by  7  inches,  lay  near  the  surface. 
With  it  were  fragments  of  vege 
table  fabric. 

A  curiously  shaped  object  of 
wood  with  circular  section,  bent 
somewhat  at  one  end,  has  a  pin 
fitted  into  it  evidently  to  con 
nect  with  a  missing  portion  containing  a  socket.  The  wood  has  been  overlaid 
with  copper  which  remains  at  places.  This  fragment  is  too  imperfect  for  identi 
fication. 

1  "  Brevh  Narratio"  published  by  DaBry,  Frankfort-on-the-Maiii,  1591. 


FIG.  20.     Indian  Warrior  of  Sixteenth  Century. 


CERTAIN   RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DCVAL  COCNTY,  FLORIDA.  23 

A   handsome  double-pointed   pin   or   piercing  implement,  a   fraction   over   12 
inches  in  length,  completes  the  meager  list  of  copper  from  the  Shields  mound. 


Large  beads  of  shell  were  represented  by  few  specimens,  and  the  usual  small 
discoidal  beads  were  of  by  no  means  such  frequent  occurrence  as  in  some  other 
mounds.  As  usual,  when  found,  they  lay  with  human  remains. 

A  few  small  shells  (Olivella),  longitudinally  perforated,  also  were  present  with 
one  burial. 

One  interesting  feature  of  the  Shields  mound  has  not  been  noticed  by  us  else 
where.  It  was  an  aboriginal  custom  from  Canada  to  Florida  to  inter  with  the  dead, 
canine  teeth  of  large  carnivores,  usually  pierced  for  suspension.  In  the  Shields 
mound  were  many  such  canines,  the  majority  probably  belonging  to  the  bear,  though 
a  smaller  one,  submitted  to  Professor  Cope,  proved  to  be  of  the  grav  wolf.  Some 
times  with  these  teeth  and  sometimes  alone,  invariably  with  human  remains,  we 
believe,  were  a  considerable  number  of  pendants  of  shell,  shaped  and  perforated  in 
what  seems  to  be  a  close  imitation  of  the  animal  teeth  also  used  as  pendants.  In 
Fig.  21  we  show  a  canine  of  some  large  carnivore,  the  prototvpe  til'  the  form  in 
shell  given  in  Fig.  22. 

One  columella  of  a  marine  uni 
valve  and  a  portion  of  a  body  whorl, 
probably  of  Fulgur,  worked  to  a 
certain  extent,  were  found  together. 

A  conch  (Fulgur  carica]  from 
which  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
body  whorl  had  been  cut.  probably 
to  furnish  material  for  beads  or  for 
gouges,  lay  loose  in  the  sand. 

Near  human  remains,  several 
feet  from  the  surface,  were  three 
conchs  (Fulgur  perversuni}.  Two 
have  no  unusual  marks.  The  third, 
however,  in  addition  to  the  regular 
hole  so  often  found  in  the  body 
whorl  opposite  the  aperture,  had 
three  small  perforations  evenly  made  by  some  tool,  at  various  points  on  the  body 
whorl. 

With  one  burial  were  twenty  conch  shells  (F?i/gi<>-}. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Associated  with  skeletal  remains  was  a  tooth,  probably  of  a  drum  fish. 

The   enamel   covering  of   four  teetli    of    the   man-eating    shark,    were    found 


KH;.  21.     Tooth  of  large 
carnivore,  used  as  jiendant. 
ShieldH  mound. 
(Full  size.) 


FIG.  22.     Pendant  of  shell. 

Shields  mound. 

(Full  nize.) 


24      CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

during  the  investigation.     Two  of  these  lay  together,  three   feet   from  the  surface, 
associated  with  human  remains. 

Upon  the  surface  of  the  mound  were  bits  of  concrete  indicating  its  occupation 
as  a  place  of  abode  at  a  period  previous  to  that  of  the  existence  of  the  frame  house 
of  the  present  owner,  Mr.  Shields,  destroyed  by  fire  some  years  since.  Nails,  bits 
of  glass  and  the  like,  were  found  at  a  certain  depth  in  the  mound  in  excavations 
made  and  filled  by  ourselves  the  year  previous.  In  addition,  in  excavations  of  limited 
area,  possibly  post-holes,  and  in  one  case,  perhaps  the  foundation  of  a  chimney, 
filled  with  disturbed  material  and  debris,  were  bits  of  rusty  iron,  buttons,  a  glass 
bottle,  bits  of  china,  a  brass  bolt,  a  half-penny  of  William  IV  of  England,  and 
other  articles  of  White  origin.  These  relics  of  a  late  occupation  of  the  mound  were 
sometimes  not  far  removed  from  purely  aboriginal  objects  and  brought  forcibly  to 
our  mind  how  readilv  a  careless  or  inexperienced  investigator,  or  one  drawing  con 
clusions  from  incomplete  reports,  might  formulate  erroneous  deductions  as  to  the 
period  of  the  origin  of  the  mound. 


Before  proceeding  to  base  conclusions  upon  the  results  of  the  somewhat  incom 
plete  investigation  of  the  Shields  mound,  several  facts  must  be  borne  in  mind, 
which,  though  previously  noted,  for  emphasis  are  referred  to  here. 

The  few  burials  discovered  toward  the  margin  of  the  mound  were  at  no  great 
depth,  the  maximum  being  about  three  feet.  The  great  bulk  of  sand  beneath 
the  eastern  slope,  lying  between  the  point  at  which  some  of  these  burials  were 
discovered  and  the  margin  of  the  summit  plateau,  contained  no  interments  what 
ever.  In  this  mass  of  material,  as  we  have  stated,  were  strata  of  midden  refuse 
with  oyster  shells,  bones  of  lower  animals,  lire  places  and  all  the  marks  of 
prolonged  occupation.  It  is  probable  that  these  strata  extend  through  the  mound. 
In  fact,  a  large  bed  of  oyster  shells  was  discovered  in  a  central  position  about  seven 
feet  from  the  surface  of  the  summit  plateau.  In  this  bed  was  a  circular  hole  8  to 
10  inches  in  diameter,  and  about  4.5  feet  in  depth,  which  may  have  contained  a  pole 
or  post  during  a  period  when  that  level  was  used  for  domiciliary  purposes. 

No  burials  were  found  in  that  part  of  the  mound  dug  down  by  us  at  a  greater 
depth  than  six  feet,  and  those  at  that  depth  were  very  exceptional.  Wrhile  we 
freely  admit  the  slight  dependence  to  be  placed  upon  conclusions  in  respect  to 
a  mound  which  has  not  been  totally  demolished,  we  are  inclined  to  believe  that 
the  great  Shields  platform  mound  was  gradually  built,  and  during  this  period 
used  as  a  place  of  domicile;  subsequently  being  utilized  on  the  summit  plateau  for 
mortuary  purposes. 

That  the  burials  in  the  summit  plateau  were  not  intrusive  was  clearly  shown 
by  the  unbroken  layer  of  colored  sand  above. 

With  undisturbed  interments  were  no  objects  save  those  of  purely  aboriginal 
origin,  though,  as  we  have  stated,  and  as  might  be  expected  in  ground  beneath  a 
site  used  for  residence  in  recent  times  and  most  probably  during  the  English  and 


CERTAIN   RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  25 

Spanish  occupation,  at  various  points  superficially  were  a  number  of  objects  found 
in  use  among  the  Whites.  Under  these  circumstances  there  would  seem  to  be  no 
reason  to  assign  to  the  burials  beneath  the  summit  plateau  of  the  Shields  mound 
a  period  other  than  one  antedating  the  coming  of  Europeans. 

GILBERT    MOUXI). 

The  Gilbert  mound  stood  in  the  pine  woods,  in  full  view  of  the  road,  about 
one  quarter  of  a  mile  southeast  of  the  Shields  mound.  Its  outline  was  that  of  an 
egg,  its  greatest  height  4  feet  9  inches,  being  at  the  broadest  portion  from  where  it 
sloped  gradually  to  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory.  It  was  80  feet  in  length, 
its  maximum  lateral  diameter  being  53  feet. 

It  was  completely  demolished,  with  the  cordial  consent  of  the  owner,  Mr.  W. 
A.  Gilbert,  of  Jacksonville,  Florida. 

The  mound,  unstratified,  was  composed  of  yellowish  sand  with  occasional 
pockets  of  red  sand  in  connection  with  some  of  the  deposits  of  relics. 

Human  remains  were  encountered  at  various  depths,  superficially,  in  the  body 
of  the  mound  and  below  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory.  In  all,  human 
remains  were  noted  at  twenty-seven  points  in  the  mound,  though  it  is  possible  that 
a  trench  dug  by  a  former  investigator  may  have  removed  a  certain  number  in 
addition.  In  no  case  did  interments  noted  by  us,  which  were  of  the  bunched 
variety,  include  the  entire  skeleton.  In  a  number  of  cases  isolated  crania  were 
found  and  once,  two  skulls  associated  with  no  other  bones.  Again,  the  cranium 
was  accompanied  by  the  shaft  of  a  long  bone,  while  in  one  instance  nothing  was 
found  but  a  portion  of  a  tibia,  curiously  enough  accompanied  by  art  relics. 

Virtually  no  sherds  lay  scattered  loose  throughout  the  sand,  though  numbers 
of  fragments  of  vessels  were  found,  usually  with  human  remains.  When  put 
together,  these  fragments  did  not  represent  complete  vessels.  They  belonged  to 
vessels  of  ordinary  type,  of  small  or  medium  size  and  undecorated.  In  no  case 
was  stamped  pottery  met  with,  neither  the  stamped  decoration  of  squares  and 
diamonds  so  frequently  found  on  the  sherds  of  the  two  great  neighboring  mounds 
nor  the  complicated  stamp  of  various  intricate  patterns  so  plentiful  in  the  low 
mounds  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

Five  and  one-half  feet  below  the  surface,  with  an  isolated  cranium,  was  a 
globular  bowl  with  inverted  rim  surrounded  by  an  interesting  raised  decoration. 
The  base  is  without  perforation.  Its  height  is  4.5  inches ;  its  maximum  diameter 
6.5  inches;  diameter  of  orifice,  2.8  inches  (Pl'ite  LXXI,  Fig.  I). 

About  two  feet  from  the  surface,  associated  with  human  remains,  were  two 
graceful  vessels  entirely  intact.  The  larger  (Plate  LXXI.  Fig.  2)  of  less  than  one 
pint  capacity,  is  of  fairly  good  material  carefully  smoothed.  Its  height  is  3.6 
inches ;  its  maximum  diameter,  3.9  inches,  while  the  aperture,  from  which  the  rim 
turns  out  slightly,  has  a  diameter  of  2.9  inches.  There  are  two  perforations  for 
suspension. 

4  JOURN.  A.  X.  S.  PHILA..VOL.  X. 


26 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


The  smaller  vessel,  with  a  height  of  3.3  inches,  a  maximum  diameter  of  3.3 
inches,  and  a  diameter  at  opening  of  2.6  inches,  has  a  perforation  at  either  side  for 
suspension.  The  rim  is  slightly  scalloped  and  to  a  small  extent  everted.  The 
body  of  the  bowl  is  decorated  as  shown  in  Plate  LXXI.  Fig.  3.  The  material  is  of 
good  quality. 

In  the  southern  margin  of  the  mound,  three  feet  below  the  surface, 
considerably  below  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory,  near  human  remains, 
was  a  vessel  of  about  one  pint  capacity,  from  which  portions  of  the  rim,  old  breaks, 
were  missing.  Height.  3  9  inches  ;  maximum  diameter,  4.4  inches.  The  base  is 
imperforate.  Its  incised  decoration  lacks  uniformity.  The  most  interesting  portion 
is  shown  in  Plate  LXX1I,  Fig.  1. 

In  caved  sand  was  a  toy  vessel  about  two   inches  in  height  with  imperforate 
base  and  flaring  rim  which  was  unfortunately  damaged  by  contact  with  a  spade. 
A  number  of  additional  vessels  of  ordinary  type  and  size,  without  decoration, 
were  recovered  during  the  investigation.     Some  were  in 
tact,  while  others  had  been  intentionally  mutilated  as  to 
the  base. 

Loose  in  the  sand,  netir  the  base,  was  a  mass  of 
cherty  material  about  5  inches  by  3.5  inches  by  2.75 
inches.  Its  shape  was  ovoid.  It  was  doubtless  fashioned 
to  do  duty  as  a  hammer.  A  somewhat  smaller  mass  of 
coralline  limestone,  not  so  regularly  shaped,  lay  unasso. 
ciated.  about  3  feet  from  the  surface. 

Sheets  of  mica,  of  somewhat  irregular  shape,  some 
so  large  as  7  inches  square,  came  from  various  depths. 
Some  had  perforations  for  suspension  or  for  fastening  to 
garments.  These  sheets  of  mica,  as  a  rule,  were  associ 
ated  with  pebble  hammers,  chips  of  chert,  bits  of  shell 
and  of  sandstone. 

Two  and  one  half  feet  from  the  surface,  probably  on 
the  base,  as  the  mound  sloped  considerably  at  that  point, 
with  part  of  the  shaft  of  one  human  long  bone,  were  one 
rounded  piece  of  sandstone,  one  bit  of  chert,  two  pebbles, 
one  small  fragment  of  earthenware,  and  many  marine 
mussel  shells  (Modiola  plicatula].  These  shells  lay  in 
bunches,  one  within  the  other,  showing  them  to  have  been 
inhumed  without  the  fish,  and  therefore  not  as  food. 
About  18  inches  below  this  curious  medley  was  an  undecorated  bowl,  imperforate 
as  to  base,  of  about  one  quart  capacity. 

A  chisel  or  gouge,  of  shell,  found  alone,  had  two  incised  parallel  grooves  ex 
tending  the  length  of  one  side  (Fig.  23). 

In    the    central  portion  of  the   mound,  about   6  feet  from  the  surface,  with 


Fio.  23.— Chisel  of  shell,  Gil 
bert  Mound.     (Full  size.) 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA.     27 

human  remains,  including  a  tibia  of  considerable  pathological  interest.1  were:  five 
arrow  heads  of  chert ;  two  chisels  neatly  wrought  from  the  lip  of  Strombus ; 
one  Fulgur ;  bits  of  sandstone ;  various  fragmentary  portions  from  columellae  of 
marine  univalves,  also  sections  from  the  lips  of  large  univalves,  showing  grooves, 
probably  the  initial  step  in  the  manufacture  of  some  ornament. 

Near  the  base,  with  human  remains,  were  a  piercing  implement  of  bone, 
the  articular  portion  remaining;  a  bit  of  coquina;  part  of  a  cannon  bone  of  a  deer. 
a  fragment  of  buck-horn,  and  a  considerable  number  of  marine  mussel  shells. 

In  various  other  parts  of  the  mound,  curious  collections,  somewhat  similar 
to  those  described,  were  met  with.  With  one  lot  was  a  small  chisel  of  stone, 
polished  at  one  end  and  roughened  at  the  other. 

Nothing  in  any  way  indicating  intercourse  with  the  Whites  was  discovered 
in  the  (iilbert  mound. 

MONROE  Mouxi>. 

The  Monroe  mound  lay  about  one  quarter  of  a  mile  southeast  of  the  Grant 
mound  (see  map),  in  a  peach  orchard,  the  property  of  Mr.  (ieorge  .T.  Monroe,  of 
Joliet,  Illinois.  Its  height  had  been  reduced  by  cultivation.  Its  shape  was 
somewhat  irregular.  Its  length  was  about  Go  feet ;  its  breadth  about  5  feet  less. 
At  the  center  of  the  broader  portion,  the  maximum  height  of  the  mound  was 
3  feet  2  inches.  A  deep  depression  on  the  west  showed  whence  the  material  of 
the  mound  had  been  derived. 

There  had  been  no  previous  investigation. 

The  mound  was  completely  destroyed,  being  dug  through  at  a  depth  of 
about  3  feet  below  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory. 

It  was  evident  that  the  mound  had  been  constructed  in  the  following  man 
ner.  First,  a  fire  was  built  on  the  surface,  possibly  to  destroy  the  underbrush. 
Next,  a  pit  of  the  area  of  the  intended  mound  was  dug  to  a  depth  of  about  3 
feet.  In  a  central  portion  of  this  pit  was  made  a  deposit  of  human  remains  with 
certain  artifacts  to  be  described  later.  Then  the  pit  was  filled  with  the  sand 
previously  thrown  out,  through  which  was  plentifully  mingled  charcoal  from  the 
surface  fire.  During  the  process  of  filling,  various  relics,  but  no  human  remains, 
were  deposited,  and  covered  by  the  sand.  When  the  pit  was  filled  to  the  general 
level,  a  great  fire  was  made  over  its  entire  area  as  was  evidenced  by  a  well  marked 
stratum  of  sand  discolored  by  fire  .and  containing  particles  of  charcoal,  extending 
entirely  through  the  mound  at  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory.  Upon 
this  the  mound  proper  was  constructed  and  various  bunched  burials  and  art  relics 
introduced. 

In  all,  human  remains  were  encountered  eleven  times,  once  at  the  base  of 
the  pit,  the  remainder  in  the  body  of  the  mound.  The  burials  were  of  the 
bunched  variety,  but  small  portions  remaining. 

1  Sent  to  the  United  States  Army  Medical  Museum,  Washington,  D.  C. 


28  CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF    DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

Sherds  were  fairly  numerous,  some  of  superior  quality  with  lined  decoration 
artistically  executed.  Others  of  less  excellent  material  were  undecorated  or  bore 
complicated  stamped  decoration  of  the  type  seen  in  neighboring  low  mounds 
(Plate  LXXII,  Fig.  2).  The  common  square  and  diamond  shaped  stamp  was 
present  but  twice  in  the  mound  and  then  superficially. 

At  a  depth  of  1.5  feet,  apparently  unassociated,  was  an  undecorated  bowl  of 
about  three  quarts  capacity,  with  a  perforation  of  base  made  subsequent  to  manu 
facture,  which  afterwards  fell  into  pieces  too  small  for  restoration. 

At  the  same  depth,  in  a  different  portion  of  the  mound,  was  a  vessel  of 
heavy  ware  of  much  better  quality  than  usual.  Its  outline  is  elliptical.  Small 
handles,  one  of  which  is  partly  missing,  extend  horizontally  from  either  end.  On 
the  rim,  which  is  .7  of  one  inch  in  breadth,  and  on  the  handles,  is  incised  decora 
tion.  Height,  2  inches;  present  length,  5.7  inches;  width,  4.5  inches.  The 
base  shows  perforation  after  manufacture  (Plate  LXXIII,  Fig.  1). 

With  a  burial  about  1  foot  from  the  surface,  though  no  doubt  at  a  greater 
depth  before  long  continued  cultivation  of  the  mound,  were  one  polished  hatchet 
and  a  fragment  of  a  marine  shell.  With  these  were  great  numbers  of  fragments  of 
various  vessels,  though  in  no  case  was  the  entire  vessel  represented. 

About  1  foot  down  was  a  vessel  with  intricate  stamped  decoration  of  about 
one  quart  capacity.  Tts  base  was  intact.  No  human  remains  were  noticed  in  its 
vicinity. 

Four  feet  from  the  surface,  unassociated,  was  a  mass  of  graphite  about  2 
inches  by  1.5  inches  by  1  inch.  One  side  was  slightly  pitted,  the  other  deeply  so. 

Apparently  unassociated  with  human  remains,  4  feet  from  the  surface, 
together,  were:  five  arrow  points  of  chert ;  one  Hake  of  the  same  material,  used  as 
a  cutting  instrument ;  one  sheet  of  mica,  and  four  worked  masses  of  sandstone  and 
of  chert.  One  foot  farther  in.  on  the  same  plane,  together,  were:  one  pebble;  one 
small  mass  of  chert ;  one  bit  of  coquina;  two  drinking  cups  wrought  from  Fidgiir 
perversuui,  with  perforated  bases,  one  within  the  other,  containing  a  number  of 
marine  mussel  shells.  With  these  lay  an  interesting  little  vessel,  undecorated. 
with  three  compartments  intact  save  a  small  portion  missing  from  the  base  ol  one. 
The  nature  of  this  fracture  would  indicate  the  result  of  accident  rather  than  an 
intentional  perforation  of  the  base.  Length,  5.8  inches;  maximum  width,  3  inches  ; 
depth,  1  inch  (Plate  LXXIIT,  Fig.  2). 

Almost  in  the  center  of  the  bottom  of  the  pit  of  which  we  have  already  made 
mention,  about  4  feet  from  the  surface,  were  several  decaying  fragments  of  a 
cranium  and  a  portion  of  the  shaft  of  a  long  bone.  With  these  was  a  boss  of  sheet 
copper  with  deep  central  indentation  through  the  middle  of  which  is  a  perforation 
for  attachment.  On  the  outside  a  knot  of  the  original  cord  still  remains.  With 
this  ornament  was  a  lance  head  of  copper,  7.6  inches  in  length,  with  a  maximum 
breadth  of  1.8  inches.  This  interesting  piece,  unlike  anything  else  in  copper  we 
have  seen  in  Florida,  has  almost  a  cutting  edge  at  the  sides  with  slightly  increasing 
thickness  to  a  maximum  of  .1  of  one  inch  in  the  middle.  A  notch  is  at  either 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF    DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


29 


side  of  the  base  by  which 
it  was  doubtless  fastened 
to  the  shaft.  One  would 
hardly  expect  a  weapon 
of  copper  of  this  thick 
ness  to  be  of  much  e fleet 
against  any  but  unpro 
tected  bodies.  Highly 
polished,  it  would  have 
an  attractive  appearance, 
and  may  have  been  used 
for  ceremonial  purposes 
(Fig.  24). 

With  one  burial  were 
two  shell  beads  each 
about  .7-")  of  one  inch  in 
length. 

Several  vessels  of  me 
dium  size  and  uninterest 
ing  as  to  type,  were  taken 
from  various  depths,  as 
were  a  number  of  peb 
bles,  .always  several  to 
gether. 


It  may  be  well  to  note 
here  that  pebbles  which 
seem  of  so  little  value  to 
us,  and  whose  presence  in 
these  low  mounds  must 
strike  many  of  our  readers 
as  curious,  were  to  be  had 
in  this  section  of  Florida 
by  importation  alone,  and 
were  distinctly  of  value 
either  for  use  as  small 
hammers  or  as  raw  mate 
rial  for  the  manufacture 
of  pendants  and  the 
like. 

Nothing    discovered 


FIG.  24. — Lance-head  of  copper.    Monroe  mound.     (Full  nize.) 
in  the  Monroe  mound  points  to  an  origin  other  than  aboriginal. 


30  CERTAIN   RIVER    MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

GRANT  MOUND.' 

The  Grant  Mound,2  near  New  Castle,  Duval  County,  Florida,  in  Section  35, 
Township  1,  stood  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  St.  John's  River,  on  a  bluff  25 
feet  in  height.  Its  situation  is  noted  on  the  Government  chart  relating  to  this 
portion  of  the  river.  It  lay  about  one  mile  in  a  westerly  direction  from  the  Shields 
mound. 

The  height  of  the  mound,  taken  from  the  present  level  of  the  bluff  on  the 
west,  was  26  feet  8  inches.  On  the  eastern  side  is  an  abrupt  dip  of  the  land  and  a 
measurement  from  this  quarter  would  have  given  an  exaggerated  idea  of  its  alti 
tude.  The  base  of  the  mound,  as  WTC  shall  see  later,  was  marked  by  a  layer  of 
oyster  shells.  From  this  base  line,  taken  on  the  western  side  where  no  natural 
depression  exists,  the  height  of  the  mound  was  30  feet  9  inches  and  even 
this  considerable  altitude  must  be  increased  by  at  least  one  foot  to  allow  for  material 
removed  by  us  at  a  previous  investigation,  as  was  shown  by  trees  growing  on  the 
summit.  It  is  evident,  then,  that  the  territory  around  the  margin  of  the  mound, 
which  was  composed  to  a  depth  of  several  feet  of  dark  loamy  sand  and  scattered 
oyster  shells,  either  was  a  deposit  belonging  to  a  period  subsequent  to  the  erection 
of  the  mound  and  had  consequently  lessened  its  height  by  about  four  feet,  or 
previously  existing,  had  been  dug  into  to  a  depth  of  four  feet. 

Fully  one-third  of  the  mound  on  the  north,  undermined  by  the  river  previous 
to  our  investigation,  had  fallen  into  the  stream,  and  it  is  probable  that  had  not 
the  hand  of  man  anticipated  its  destruction,  a  limited  term  of  years  would  have 
seen  the  mound  entirely  absorbed  by  the  river — to  a  certain  extent  a  consolation 
for  the  loss  of  so  notable  a  landmark. 

In  shape  the  mound  was  the  usual  truncated  cone.  Its  base  diameter  was  216 
feet  and  that  of  the  summit  plateau  but  24  feet.  The  western  slope  was 
at  an  angle  of  28°,  the  others  somewhat  less  steep,  though,  taken  as  a  whole,  the 
mound  was  one  of  the  most  symmetrical  we  have  met  with. 

Two  low  ridges,  one  somewhat  better  marked  than  the  other,  almost  parallel, 
start  a  short  distance  from  the  southernmost  portion  of  the  mound,  and,  after  a 
time,  merge  in  the  surrounding  level.  Investigation  failed  to  reveal  either  inter 
ments  or  art  relics  in  them,  and  it  is  presumable  that  these  causeways  were  used 
as  approaches,  like  others  found  in  connection  with  Florida  mounds. 

The  mound  was  totally  demolished  by  an  average  force  of  forty-three  men, 
exclusive  of  those  supervising  the  work,  digging  seven  hours  per  day  during  a 
period  of  five  weeks  of  March  and  April,  1895. 

1  A  short  account  of  a  former  investigation  of  this  mound  was  given  in  our  "  Certain  Sand  Mounds 
of  the  St.  John's  River,  Florida,"  Part  II,  Jour.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  Vol.  X. 

2  See  frontispiece. 


CERTAIN    RIVER    MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  31 

COMPOSITION   OF    MOUND. 

No  uniformity  of  stratification  was  observed  in  the  construction  of  the  Grant 
Mound.  The  bluff  on  which  it  was  built  had  previously  served  as  a  place  of  abode 
for  the  aborigines  whose  kitchen  refuse,  in  the  shape  of  oyster  shells,  fragments  of 
bone,  and  of  earthenware,  mingled  with  black  loamy  sand  and  charcoal,  formed 
an  irregular  layer  sometimes  five  feet  in  thickness. 

This  layer  constituted  the  base  of  the  mound. 

Upon  this  base,  through  the  outer  portions  of  the  mound,  ran  a  layer  of  sand 
intentionally  given  a  cherry  color  by  the  use  of  hematite,  from  twelve  to  eighteen 
inches  in  thickness,  which,  gradually  ascending,  was  lost,  its  place  being  taken,  at 
certain  points,  by  an  irregular  stratum  of  pure  white  sand  with  a  maximum  thick 
ness  of  about  two  feet. 

While  the  great  bulk  of  the  mound  was  composed  of  yellowish  sand,  there 
were  very  numerous  pockets  and  local  layers  of  considerable  size  of  white  sand, 
fine  and  again  coarse  and  angular;  of  brown  sand;  of  gray  sand;  of  sand  dyed  a 
beautiful  cherry,  and  of  oyster  shells  mingled  with  black  loam  and  midden  refuse. 
A  superficial  layer  of  rich  brown  loam  had  a  varying  thickness  of  from  two  to  three 
feet.  The  usual  particles  of  charcoal  were  encountered  throughout  the  mound. 

At  one  point  of  the  western  side  of  the  central  portion  of  the  mound  wag 
a  striking  combination  of  shades.  Above  the  shell  base  was  a  layer  of  sand  black 
in  color  through  admixture  of  loam,  six  inches  in  thickness.  This  was  surmounted 
by  a  band  of  white  sand  about  ten  inches  through,  above  which  was  a  stratum  of 
sand  of  a  chocolate  tint,  about  three-quarters  of  a  foot  in  breadth.  Next  came  a 
layer  one  foot  in  thickness  of  sand  of  stone  color,  which  was  surmounted  by  seven 
inches  of  sand  tinged  a  bright  cherry.  Above  these  layers  were  masses  of  yel 
lowish  sand  with  occasional  strata  of  brown  sand  and  of  blackish  sand  containing 
oyster  shells.  This  conformation,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind,  was  not  representa 
tive  of  other  portions  of  the  mound. 

Water-worn  sherds,  some  from  central  portions  of  the  mound,  gave  evidence 
that  a  portion  of  the  material  had  been  brought  from  the  river  front  below. 

Scattered  oyster  shells  were  frequently  met  with  throughout  the  entire  mound 
and  to  such  an  extent  was  their  distribution  that,  by  constant  contact  with  the 
spade  and  thus  exciting  vain  hopes  of  the  discovery  of  more  valuable  articles,  they 
considerably  interfered  with  the  interest  of  the  search. 

HUMAN    REMAINS. 

Skeletal  remains  in  the  Grant  mound  were  singularly  disproportionate  in 
number  to  the  vast  bulk  of  material  present,  and  emphasized  more  clearly  than 
ever  before  in  our  experience  how  much  needless  labor  was  sometimes  undertaken 
by  the  aborigines  for  their  dead.  Many  men  in  our  employ  dug  for  days  without 
encountering  a  vestige  of  human  remains  and  in  the  entire  eastern  and  southeast- 


32  CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

ern  portion  of  the  mound  virtually  none  was  present  while  in  no  part  (excluding 
the  side  bordering  the  river,  as  to  which  we  are  not  in  a  position  to  speak)  had  any 
interments  been  made  within  nineteen  feet  from  the  margin  of  the  base. 

During  our  first  investigation,  which  included  a  superficial  portion  of  the 
mound  containing  but  few  skeletal  remains,  no  burials  in  anatomical  order  were 
met  with,  such  as  were  encountered  being  of  the  bunched  variety  exclusively. 

In  point  of  fact,  however,  as  was  demonstrated  by  the  demolition  of  the  mound, 
the  burial  in  anatomical  order  largely  predominated,  though  both  forms  were  met 
with.  On  the  base,  especially,  few,  if  any.  bunched  burials  were  brought  to  our 
notice. 

More  forcibly  than  ever  before  was  brought  to  our  attention  the  opposite  state 
of  preservation  of  bones  presumably  of  approximately  the  same  age.  At  times,  in 
various  portions  of  the  mound,  the  skeleton  wa,s  represented  by  remains  with  hardly 
a  greater  consistence  than  putty,  while  again,  often  at  no  great  distance  ficm  the 
base,  the  bones  were  fairly  well  preserved.  Such  remains  lay  near  oyster  shells 
from  which,  doubtless,  the  infiltration  of  lime  was  a  potent  factor  in  preservation. 

In  the  Grant  mound,  as  in  all  other  mounds  we  have  investigated,  the  great 
majority  of  skeletal  remains  was  unaccompanied  by  relics  of  any  sort. 

No  crania  were  preserved,  the  facial  bones  being  in  all  cases  crushed  or  wanting 
through  decay  and  the  vaults  usually  to  a  certain  extent  broken  in. 

Marked  examples  of  platycnemia1  and  of  the  pilastered  femur  were  noted,  and 
these,  with  specimens  bearing  evidence  of  inflammation  and  others  showing  frac 
ture,  were  sent  to  the  United  States  Army  Medical  Museum  at  Washington. 

After  a  careful  examination  of  the  bones  from  the  Grant  mound  we  were 
impressed,  as  has  been  the  case  during  all  our  mound  work  in  Florida,  with  the 
exceedingly  limited  number  of  fractures  present  among  them,  probably  much  less 
than  would  be  encountered  among  modern  skeletal  remains.  Presumably  the 
level  country,  the  sandy  soil,  the  absence  of  ice  and  of  horses  and  of  vehicles,  of 
scaffolding  and  of  machinery,  and  of  many  other  things  incidental  to  civilization, 
militated  against  accidents  to  the  human  structure. 

LOCATION    AND    ASSOCIATION    OF    RELICS,    ETC.2 

The  proceeds  of  the  demolition  of  the  Grant  mound  were  disappointing  in  so 
much  as,  contrary  to  our  expectation,  few  new  types  or  specimens  of  remarkable 
interest,  were  encountered.  In  fact,  the  eastern  and  southeastern  portions  of  the 
mound  were  virtually  barren,  as  was  that  part  25  feet  in  all  directions  from  the 

1  The  reader  will  recall  that  this  flattening  of  the  tibia  is  no  longer  regarded  as  a  racial  characteristic 
but  rather  the  result  of  muscular  traction  upon  the  bone,  in  running  and  climbing.     Mi moire  sur  la  Pla- 
tycnf.mir  ohez  /'Homme  et  chezles  Anthropoidcs.     Dr.  Manouvrier  Mf  moires  de  la  Sociftf  cV Anthropoloyie 
de  Paris.     Tfune  tromtmr,  deuxfrnu-  Strip  Paris,  1883-1888,  page  469  ft  srq. 

2  The  reader  of  our  "  Certain  Sand  Mounds  of  the  St. Johns  River,"  Part  II,  will  recall  that  at  the 
previous  investigation  of  the  Grant  mound  we  found  one  sheet-copper  ornament,  a  number  of  beads  of 
the  same  material,  two  small  vessels  of  earthenware  and  a  number  of  "  celts  "  of  polished  stone. 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF    Dt'VAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  :53 

margin  of  the  base,  save  on  the  north  where  the  encroachment  of  the  river,  to 
which  we  have  referred,  prevented  determination.  The  objects  discovered,  com 
paratively  few,  when  we  consider  the  enormous  mass  of  sand  removed,  were  mainly 
confined  to  the  north  and  northwest  portions  of  the  mound  surrounding  the  summit 
plateau.  Beneath  the  plateau  itself  the  discovery  of  relics  was  comparatively 
infrequent.  All  the  tobacco  pipes  found  by  us  and  five  previously  taken  out  by 
persons  well  known  to  us.  were  from  the  northern,  or  river,  side  of  the  mound. 

So  great  was  the  height  of  the  mound  that  frequent  slides  of  masses  of  sand 
were  unavoidable,  and  thus  exact  depths  of  objects  found  were  often  unobtainable, 
though  at  times  close  estimates  were  to  be  had  since  sections  of  the  mound,  sliding 
down  a  few  feet  as  a  whole,  retained  their  integrity,  holding  undisturbed  human 
remains  and  associated  objects. 

In  describing  various  articles  from  the  Grant  mound  we  shall  not  give  in  all 
cases  exact  details  as  to  objects  found  in  association,  but  shall  content  ourselves 
with  a  few  representative  examples  of  "  finds  of  various  relics  encountered 
together  and  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  skeletal  remains,  stating  at  the 
same  time  that,  as  we  have  said,  most  burials  were  without  accompanying  relics 
when  found ;' that  shell  beads,  usually  unassociated  with  other  objects,  "were  the 
most  frequent  tribute  to  the  departed  ;  that  beads  and  sometimes  ornaments,  of 
sheet  copper,  were  occasionally  found  with  the  beads  of  shell  and  that  stone  hatchets, 
singly,  in  pairs  or  very  rarely  three  at  one  time,  occasionally  lay  with  the  bones, 
sometimes  associated  with  other  objects. 

About  four  feet  from  the  surface,  in  the  northern  slope,  a  short  distance  apart, 
were  two  drinking  cups  wrought  from  pulgur perversum.  Into  each  a  skull  had 
been  crushed  to  fragments  by  weight  of  sand.  With  one  were  a  number  of  large 
shell  beads  and  several  ellipsoidal  objects  of  shell.  About  one  loot  above  was  a 
large  fossil  sh .ark's  tooth. 

Beneath  the  cranium  of  a  skeleton  in  anatomical  order,  20.5  feet  from  the 
surface,  in  a  mass  of  crimson  pigment,  were  a  tobacco  pipe  of  sandstone  and  several 
shell  beads. 

Together,  with  human  remains,  in  contact  with,  and  partially  enclosed  in.  a 
mass  of  red  pigment,  were  many  shell  beads ;  several  small  sheets  of  mica,  one  cut 
square  with  central  perforation,  doubtless  for  attachment ;  small  beads  of  sheet 
copper;  numerous  fragments  of  sheet  copper,  a  large  tobacco  pipe  of  Steatite, 
and  one  human  molar  with  incised  line  around  the  crown  and  a  central  perfora 
tion  for  suspension. 

In  the  eastern  side  of  the  mound,  with  human  remains,  were  :  a  shell  drink 
ing  cup  ;  many  shell  beads;  small  beads  and  very  fragmentary  ornaments  of  sheet 
copper;  a  mass  of  red  pigment  about  the  sixe  of  a  cocoanut ;  a  tobacco  pipe  of 
undecorated  earthenware  of  the  usual  type  found  in  the  mound,  and  a  disc  of  lime- 

1   It  in  possible  that  objects  of  wood,  fur,  vegetable  fabric  and  other  |>eriHhable  materials,  when  not 
in  contact  with  copper,  may  have,  in  some  cases,  disappeared  without  leaving  a  trace. 
r>  JOURN.  A.  N.  S.  PHILA..  VOL.   X. 


34     CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

stone  1.5  inches  in  diameter  and  .2  of  one  inch  in  thickness,  centrally  perforated 
and  overlaid  with  sheet  copper  on  one  side.  These  objects  were  about  six  feet 
from  the  surface. 

PEARLS. 

With  shell  beads,  near  human  remains,  were  two  symmetrical  pearls  perfor 
ated  as  is  the  case  in  the  mounds.  The  larger  pearl  is  .35  of  one  inch  by  .25  of 
one  inch. 

SHELL.1 

Beads. — Shell  beads  in  great  abundance,  always  with  human  remains,  were 
present  in  the  Grant  mound.  Though  great  numbers  of  the  smaller  forms  were 
not  recovered,  nevertheless  a  box  14  inches  by  10.25  inches  by  5.75  inches,  was 
entirely  filled.  The  beads  were  of  every  shape,  discoidal,  spherical,  barrel-shaped, 
tubular,  of  various  sizes.  One  discoidal  bead  of  shell,  of  about  one  inch  diameter, 
had  been  overlaid  with  copper. 

Two  beads  found  10  feet  down  in  the  northern  slope,  with  other  beads  and 

associated  with  human  remains, were 
of  graceful  and  unusual  pattern ; 
the  larger,  with  a  length  of  1.2 
inches  and  a  maximum  diameter  of 

FHI.  i5.— Beads  of  shell.  Grant  Mound.  (Full  size.)  .5  of  one  inch  ;  the  other  somewhat 

smaller  (Fig.  25). 

In  a  few  instances,  numbers  of  small  elongated  marine  shells  (Olivella  and 
Marginclla]  longitudinally  perforated,  lay  in  lieu  of  beads  with  human  remains 
These  little  shells  were  in  use  for  a  like  purpose  in  post-Columbian  times. 

Drinking  cups. — The  reader  will  recall  that  the  conch  {Fulgur  perversttnt) 
was  utilized  by  the  aborigines  as  a  drinking  cup  by  the  removal  of  the  columella 
and  a  portion  of  the  body  whorl. 

Nine  such  drinking  cups  were  met  with  during  our  last  investigation,  usually 
associated  with  other  objects.  Some  of  these  were  perforate  as  to  the  base  ;  others 
were  intact. 

Pendants. — A  number  of  pendent  ornaments  of  shell,  mostly  resembling  in 
type  others  described  and  figured  by  us  before,  were  found  throughout  the  mound. 
One,  cylindrical  in  shape  (Fig.  26)  is  of  somewhat  unusual  design  for  Florida.  Its 
length  is  3.2  inches.  The  perforation  begins  at  one  side,  meeting  one  from  the  top. 

Another  pendant,  found  with  a  long  tubular  bead  of  shell,  is  of  a  somewhat 
elongated  pear  shape  with  one  side  flattened. 

A  graceful  ellipsoidal  ornament  of  shell  from  the  mound  is  shown  in  Fig.  27. 

Miscellaneous. — Four  columellae  of  marine  univalves  were  found  during  the 
excavation. 

1  The  reader  is  referred  to  Holmes'  exhaustive  memoir  "Art  in  Shell,"  Second  Annual  Iteport, 
Bureau  of  Ethnology.  1880-1881. 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  35 


FIG.  26.    Pendant  of  shell. 
Grant     mound.      (Full 

m/e.) 


A  cockle  shell  (Cardium)  con 
tained  a  certain  amount  of  crimson 
pigment,  but  whether  it  had  been  used 
as  a  receptacle  for  paint,  an  aborigi 
nal  use  for  certain  shells  in  Califor 
nia,  or  whether  the  pigment  was  ac 
cidentally  obtained  through  prox 
imity  to  one  of  these  masses  present 
throughout  the  mound,  we  are  unable 
to  say. 

EARTHENWARE. 


Thirty-five  vessels  of  earthen 
ware  were  taken  from  the  Grant 
mound,  none  of  so  much  as  one  quart 
capacity.  Some  had  the  base  intact ; 
others  a  hole  knocked  through  after 
baking,  though  the  great  majority 
were  of  the  "freak"  style  of  mortuary 
pottery  with  perforation  in  the  base 
made  prior  to  baking.  None  bore  any 
traces  of  soot  or  evidence  of  use  over 
fires.  These  vessels,  as  a  rule,  did 
not  seem  to  be  associated  with  human 
remains,  though,  as  many  came  from 
sand  caved  from  above,  absolute  de 
termination  in  all  cases  was  impossi 
ble.  The  material  of  all  was  of  the  usual  flimsy  sort  used  for  vessels  made  in  ad 
vance  for  mortuary  purposes. 

In  Plate  LXXIII,  Fig.  3.  is  shown  a  bowl  1.8  inches  in  depth  with  a  maximum 
diameter  of  ;~>.o  inches.  In  common  with  all  other  vessels  in  the  (I rant  mound,  it 
shows  no  sign  of  use  over  fire  and  is  probably  of  the  mortuary  variety. 

In  Plate  LXXIV.  Fig.  1,  we  have  a  vessel  doubtless  of  a  similar  type- 
in  both  cases  the  base  has  been  perforated  after  completion.  Height.  "2 
length,  6.9  inches;  maximum  breadth,  4.8  inches. 

A  specimen  of  the  pure  "freak"  variety  is  shown  in  Plate  LXXIV,  Fig.  2. 
perforation  at  its  base  was  made  previous  to  baking.     The  form  is  entirely  new  to 
us.     Height,  4.2  inches;   maximum  diameter,  at  rim.  3  inches. 

Plate  LXXIV,  Fig.  3,  represents  a  portion  of  a  vessel  with  perforations  of  side 
and  base.  The  motive  for  constructing  a  vessel  of  this  sort  is  not  apparent. 
Very  recently  vessels  each  with  numerous  perforations  at  the  base  have  been  found 


KHJ.  -~.  Kllipsoidal  object  of 
shell.  Grant  mound.  (Full 
size.) 


though 
inches ; 

The 


36 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


Fict.  28.     Tobacco  pipe  of  earthenware      Grant  mound. 
(Full  size.) 

ware.  The  larger  has  a  perforation  at  base 
made  prior  to  baking;  the  smaller,  imperforate 
as  to  the  base,  has  two  small  holes  for  sus 
pension. 

A  bowl  of  about  one  quart  capacity,  with 
incised  and  stamped  decoration  beneath  the 
margin,  has  but  one  of  the  two  holes,  one  on 
either  side,  usually  made  for  suspension.  As 
the  base  has  a  large  perforation  made  previous 
to  baking,  it  is  probable  the  potter  was  not 
over-careful  as  to  the  bestowal  of  details  not 
likely  to  be  called  into  requisition. 

One  small  vessel  with  perforation  of  base 
made  prior  to  completion,  has  a  small  hole  on 


in  certain  Kentucky  mounds. 
These  are  supposed  to  have  served 
as  colanders  or  sieves,  like  those 
in  use  in  southern  Mexico  for 
straining  the  cactus  fruit.  In  the 
case  of  our  vessel,  however,  such 
cannot  have  been  the  case,  as  a 
perforation  at  the  base,  made  pre 
vious  to  baking,  has  a  maximum 
diameter  of  almost  1  inch.  It  is, 
perhaps,  an  emphasized  form  of 
"freak"  mortuary  ware. 

A  vessel  of  a  type  entirely 
new  to  us  was  recovered  in  a  some 
what  fragmentary  condition.  The 
form  calls  to  mind  certain  tobacco 
pipes,  but  in  this  specimen  the  per 
foration  is  wanting.  Two  small 
holes,  one  on  either  side  of  the 
rim,  served  for  suspension  (Plate 
LXXV,  Fig.  1).  Length  of  base, 
5.3  inches ;  width  of  base,  2.2 
inches;  full  height,  3.1  inches; 
maximum  diameter  of  bowl.  2.7 
inches;  diameter  of  orifice,  1.7 
inches. 

Plate  LXXV,  Figs.  2  and  3, 
are  doubtless  types  of  mortuary 


Fu».  29.     Bead  or  pendant  of  earthenware. 
Grant  mound.      (Full  sine.) 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF    DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  37 

cither  side  of  this  perforation  and  none  beneath  the  rim.  We  have  never  before 
seen  this  proceeding  and  are  at  a  loss  to  account  for  its  motive. 

Another  bowl  with  the  usual  small  perforations  beneath  the  margin  on  either 
side,  has,  about  one  inch  below  the  rim  in  the  other  two  sides,  holes  about  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  carefully  cut. 

A  number  of  other  vessels  from  the  Grant  mound,  though  of  considerable 
interest,  will  not  be  particularly  described  here,  since,  to  a  certain  extent,  they 
resemble  vessels  from  other  mounds  referred  to,  and  figured  in,  our  previous  reports. 

Sherds  were  of  infrequent  occurrence  in  the  Grant  mound.  Some  bore  the 
usual  stamped  squares  and  diamonds  but  in  one  instance  only  was  there  brought  to 
our  notice  the  complicated  stamp  of  such  frequent  occurrence  in  many  low  neigh 
boring  mounds. 

But  two  tobacco  pipes  of  earthenware  were  recovered.  The  larger,  with  length 
of  stem  2.8  inches,  height  of  bowl  3  inches,  orilice  of  bowl  1.7  inches  by  2.8 
inches,  had,  when  found,  a  small  ornament  of  sheet  copper  fastened  beneath  the 
margin  of  the  orifice  facing  the  smoker  by  an  encircling  cord  which  crumbled  into 
dust  (Fig.  28). 

A  somewhat  smaller  tobacco  pipe  of  ordinary  type  came  from  a  depth  of  6 
feet,  with  human  remains  and  many  associated  objects. 

A  large  bead  or  pendant,  of  earthenware,  was  of  equal  proportions  in  height 
and  in  length,  2.3  inches  (Fig.  29). 


HatcJicts  or  "celts". — In  all,  117  hatchets,  or  "celts,"  were  taken  by  us  from 
the  Grant  mound  during  the  second  investigation.  Their  material  has  not  been 
separately  determined,  the  majority,  however,  being  from  rocks  of  igneous  origin, 
while  an  occasional  sedimentary  or  metamorphic  rock  is  represented.  None  of 
these  rocks  is  found  in  Florida. 

Twelve  feet  from  the  surface,  just  beneath  a  skeleton  with  which  were  beads 
of  shell,  was  the  most  perfectly  symmetrical  and  beautiful  "  celt"  it  has  been 
our  good  fortune  to  find.  The  material,  light  green  in  color,  is  believed  to  be  an 
altered  Felsite,  The  semi-circular  outline  of  the  cutting  edge  has  been  conferred 
with  wonderful  precision.  This  implement  is  of  the  pure  Santo  Domingo  type. 
The  cuts  by  no  means  convey  a  fair  idea  of  the  appearance  of  the  original.  Length, 
about  5.5  inches;  maximum  breadth,  about  2.0  inches;  maximum  thickness, 
about  1.5  inches  (Figs.  30  and  31). 

Arrow  and  lance  heads. — The  interment  of  arrow  and  lance  points  with  the 
dead  was  largely  a  matter  of  fashion.  In  the  Shields  mound,  less  than  one  mile 
distant,  they  were  very  abundant,  as  was  the  case  in  Mt.  Royal  which  closely 
resembled  the  Grant  mound  in  many  particulars.  In  the  Grant  mound  but  fifteen 
were  taken  out  by  us.  None  was  of  unusual  size  or  of  especial  interest. 

Tobacco  pipes. — Three  pipes  of  soapstone,  Vtiriously  associated,  came  from  the 
Grant  mound.  One  of  these  was  about  the  size  and  form  of  the  one  figured  from 


40 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


In  many  places  in  the  mound  mere  traces  of  the  copper  remained  and  at  times 
a  discoloration  of  bones  or  of  beads  was  the  only  evidence  of  the  former  presence 
of  the  metal. 

Upon  a  number  of  occasions  a  single  bead  of  sheet  copper,  not  over  one-third 
of  an  inch  in  length,  lay  with  many  beads  of  shell,  showing  the  scarcity  of  the 
material. 

As  in  other  mounds,  no  two  ornaments  of  sheet  copper  were  alike  and 
the  sheets  were  slightly  irregular  in  length,  in  breadth,  and  in  thickness. 

What  we  have  before  noted,  namely,  the  almost  entire  absence  of  copper 
implements  of  any  sort  in  Florida,1  was  emphasized  in  the  Grant  Mound,  where  no 

object  of  that  character  was  present 
asp.  save  pins    or  piercing  implements 

and  even  these  may  have  done  duty 
in  the  hair. 

As  in  other  mounds,  the  copper 
of  the  Grant  Mound  was  at  times 
wrapped  in  bark  or  in  vegetable 
fabric,  a  custom,  as  we  have  before 
stated,  prevailing  in  other  parts  of 
the  United  States  and  in  Canada, 
and,  curiously  enough,  the  occur 
rence  of  the  same  custom  is  noted 
in  England  where,  upon  one  occa 
sion  at  least,  prehistoric  bronze  was 
wrapped  in  linen.2 

In  addition  to  a  considerable 
number  of  sheet  copper  ornaments 
in  a  fragmentary  condition,  nine  of 
the  usual  type  consisting  of  re 
pousse  bosses  and  beaded  lines,  were 
recovered  entire  or  nearly  so  from 
the  Grant  Mound,  two  of  which  we 
show,  full  size,  in  Figs.  36  and  37. 
One  ellipsoidal  bead  of  sheet  copper,  of  the  same  shape  though  somewhat 
smaller  than  the  one  recovered  during  the  previous  investigation  of  the  mound  and 
figured3  in  Part  II,  came,  with  human  remains,  from  the  western  slope  of  the 
mound.  In  addition,  four  beads  of  the  same  material,  though  more  elongated  in 
shape,  were  met  with,  the  largest  being  2.75  inches  in  length  with  a  maximum 

1  From  the  interesting  "Notes  ou  Primitive  Man  in  Ontario,"  by  David  Boyle,  we  learn  that  the 
reverse  of  this  is  true  in  Ontario  where  such  specimens  of  copper  as  are  found  are  almost  invariably  tools 
or  weapons. 

2  Cited  by  Clodd.     "The  Story  of  Primitive  Man,"  page  16o. 

3  Op.  <-it. 


FIG.  34.  Pendent  orna 
ment.  Grant  mound. 
(Full  size.) 


FIG.  35.     Fragment  of  bone  pin. 
Grant  mound.     (Full  size.) 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  41 


Km.  37. 

Ornaments  of  sheet  copper.     Grant  mound.     (Full  si/e.) 
JOUEN.  A.  N.  S.  PHILA..  VOL.  X. 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF    DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


diameter  of  .75  of  one  inch.     Smaller  beads   of  copper   were  found  in  considerable 
numbers. 

A  large  bead  of  wood,  1.6  inches  by  1.3  inches,  spheroidal  in  shape,  had  been 
overlaid  with  sheet  copper,  portions  of  which  still  adhere. 

Seven  pins  or  piercing  implements  of  copper,  the  longest  13  inches  in  length, 
were  found  variously  associated  at  different  depths.  All  seem  to  have  been  made 
by  hammering  sheet  copper  into  the  required  shape. 

A  disc  of  limestone,  2  inches  in  diameter,  with  a  central  perforation,  overlaid 
with  sheet  copper  on  one  side,  and  a  somewhat  smaller  disc  of  shell  or  of  limestone 

of  the  same  type,  came  from  different  portions  of  the 
mound.  With  the  smaller  was  an  earthenware  pipe. 
Two  discs,  probably  of  limestone,  overlaid  with 
sheet  copper,  with  shanks  extending  from  the  lower 
central  portions,  were  found  together  near  human  re 
mains  and  were  doubtless  used  as  earplugs.  A  some 
what  similar  ornament  is  figured  by  us1  in  Part  I  as 
coming  from  Mt.  Royal. 

About  13.0  feet  from  the  surface,  near  together, 
associated  with  human  remains  and  a  mass  of  red  pig 
ment,  were  two  cones  of  wood,  3.2  inches  and  1.7 
inches  in  height,  respectively,  each  with  base  diam 
eter  of  1  inch.  These  cones  had  been  overlaid  with 
thin  sheet  copper  which  had  preserved  the  wood. 
Portions  of  the  coating  were  still  adherent.  From 
the  base  of  the  larger  cone  projected  a  pin  .!)  of  one 
inch  in  length,  exactly  fitting  into  a  socket  having  a 
depth  of  .(>  of  one  inch  in  the  base  of  the  smaller 
cone.  This  pin  was  not  an  integral  portion  of  the 
cone  from  which  it  projected,  but  had  been  let  into  a 
small  socket  and  secured  with  bitumen. 

These  interesting  specimens,  unique  so  far  as  we 
know,  were  carefully  allowed  to  dry  and  then  treated 
with  shellac. 

It  is  not  unlikely  that  these  objects  form  two 
parts  of  an  ear  ornament,  one  worn  on  either  side  of 
the  lobe,  the  pin  passing  through  the  perforated  por 
tion  (Fig.  38).  The  difference  between  the  length  of 
the  pin  and  the  depth  of  the  socket  would  be  about 
made  up  by  the  thickness  of  the  lobe  of  the  ear. 

During  the  investigation  an  ornament,  or,  more 
probably,  two  somewhat  similar  ornaments,  of  sheet 
copper,  were  laid  bare  at  a  depth  from  the  surface  of  about  20  feet.     Before  this 
1  Op.  fit. 


Fig.  38.  Ornament  of  wood  over 
laid  with  sheet  copper.  Grant 
mouud.  (FullHi/e.) 


CERTAIN   RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,   FLORIDA. 


4:5 


COppsr  could  be  removed,  a  section  of  the  mound  fell  from  above,  burying  the  ob 
ject*  beneath  tons  of  sand  and  breaking  them  to  a  certain  extent,  as  we  learned 
hours  later  when  they  were  recovered.  It  was  apparent  at  the  same  time,  how 
ever,  by  the  carbonated  edges  of  certain  fractures  that  the  ornaments  had  under 
gone  some  breakage  previous  to  the  caving  of  the  sand. 

The  larger  ornament  consists  of  a  shield,  or  escutcheon,  shaped  concavo-con 
vex  sheet  of  copper,  with  a  maximum  length  of  2.(>  inches  and  a  maximum  width 
of  2.2  inches.  This  shield  has  repousse  decoration  probably  intended  to  represent 
the  human  face,  the  raised  portion  of  the  decoration  being  on  the  concave  side  of 
the  shield.  Near  the  margin,  about  .7  of  one  inch  from  the  upper  edge,  is  a  small 
perforation  on  either  side  as  shown  in  Fig.  89.  From  the  convex  side  of  the  shield, 
where  the  design  is  depressed,  the  remaining  portion  of  a.  band  of  copper, 
about  l.o  indies  broad,  projects  (see  section,  Fig.  4(J).  It  is  slightly  bent, 

but  has  the  appearance  of  having  at  one 
time  been  at  right  angles  to  the  shield  and 
having  been  bent  by  weight  of  sand.  Near  the 
shield  lay  a  band  of  copper.  o.;">  inches  in 
length,  and  of  the  same  breadth  as  the  portion 
fastened  to  the  shield.  The  ragged  edge  at 
either  end,  however,  is  carbonated,  showing  an 
early  fracture.  One  portion  of  this  band,  which 


FIG.  89.     Ornament  of  Hheet  copper. 
Grant  mound.     (Full  Mize.) 


FKI.  40.     Transverse  section  of  same. 


is  heavily  carbonated,  being  cleared  by  acid,  shows  a  straight  line  of  rivets, 
running  transversely,  where  it  had  probably  been  joined  to  the  tongue  projecting 
from  the  shield. 

The  shield-like  portion  of  the  second  ornament  is  somewhat  smaller,  having  a 
maximum  length  of  2.3  inches,  and  a  maximum  width  of  1.9  inches.  It  is  thinner 
than  the  larger  shield  from  which  it  differs  in  that  it  has  repousse  decoration  on 
the  convex  side  alone,  the  concave  side  being  undecorated  and  the  excised  portion 
from  the  upper  part  in  the  concave  side  does  not  end  squarely  but  has  its  base  in 
the  form  of  an  upright  wedge.  Vegetable  fabric,  not  shown  in  the  cut  (Fig.  41), 
adheres  to  the  convex  side  which  shows  considerably  less  convexity  than  the  larger 
shield.  From  the  convex  side  as  in  the  case  of  the  other  specimen,  a  band  of  sheet 
copper,  irregularly  bent  over,  probably  by  weight  of  sand,  projects  as  represented 
in  section  (Fig.  42a).  Near  the  shield  lay  a  band  of  copper  about  2.5  inches  in 


44 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF    DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


length,  of  the  same  breadth   as  that   portion   projecting  from  the  shield.     The  line 

of  fracture  shows  a  recent  break  as  does  that  of  the  band  on  the  ornament.     As  the 

twoportionsdonotjoin.it  is   probable   an   intervening   portion    is   missing.      This 

band  of  copper  differs  from  that  probably  belong 
ing  to  the  larger  shield,  which  is  made  of  but  one 
thickness  of  copper,  in  that  it  is  constructed  of 
one  sheet  bent  upon  itself  to  give  double  thickness, 
the  edges  meeting  at  the  margin. 

Dr.  M.  G.  Miller,  who  has  made  a  careful 
examination  of  the  method  of  construction  of 
these  ornaments,  writes  as  follows  : 

"  The  surfaces  of  both  shields  were  obscured 
by  a  thick  coating  of  carbonate,  the  removal  of 
which  required  the  use  of  acid. 

"•  The  smaller  ornament  consists  of  two  plates. 
That  on  the  concave  side,  smooth,  undecorated 
and  showing  no  fissure  in  the  median  line,  was 
made  from  a  solid  sheet.  The  plate  of  the  con 
vex  surface  is  composed  of  two  sheets  each  cut 

according  to  the  pattern  shown  in  Fig.  42c  and  united   in    the   following  manner: 

First,   the    tongue,    D,    was 

bent  to  a  right  angle  with 

the  remaining  portion.   Then 

the  sheet  of  the  other  side 


FIG.  41.     Ornament  of  sheet  copper. 
Grant  mound.     (Full  size.) 


FIG.  42b.     Convex  surface. 


FIG.  42c.     Pattern  of  one-half 
of  convex  sheet. 


FIG.  42a.     Transverse  section. 

being  prepared  in  a  corres 
ponding  fashion,  the  two 
were  brought  together  in 
such  a  way  that  the  tongues 
were  in  apposition  and  the 
margins  overlapped  at  E  and 
F,  Fig.  4'2b.  Rivets  along 

these  margins,  as  indicated  at  E,  F,  in  Fig.  42b  united  the  sheets,  while  the  edges  of 
one  tongue  were  bent  around  those  of  the  other  as  shown  by  the  dotted  lines.  The 
plate  thus  formed  was  decorated  as  represented  in  the  cut,  and  attached  to  its 
companion  by  applying  it  against  the  convex  surface  and  turning  its  edges  around 
the  margin  of  that  plate  and  pressing  them  tightly  against  the  other  side  (Fig.  42a 
and  dotted  lines  on  42b).  More  rivets  than  those 'represented  in  the  cut  may  have 
been  used  in  the  formation  and  union  of  the  plates,  but  fear  of  serious  injury  to  the 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  45 

specimen  restricted  the  search.     At  G  and  H  are  indicated  places  where  the  convex 
plate  has  fallen  away  exposing  the  plate  beyond. 

"  The  larger  ornament  was  examined  on  both  surfaces  as  carefully  as  its  con 
dition  would  allow  but  no  rivets  were  discovered.  It  was,  however,  apparently 
constructed  after  the  fashion  of  the  convex  sheet  of  the  smaller  ornament,  as  shown 
by  the  overlapping  at  the  point,  by  the  fissure  along  the  median  line  of  the  concave 
surface  and  by  the  apposed  tongues  projecting  from  the  convex  surface." 


It  is  probable  that  the  demolition  of  the  Grant  mound  was  a  work  as  extensive 
and  as  carefully  conducted  as  anything  of  the  kind  ever  undertaken  in  this  country, 
Daring  the  entire  investigation  not  one  object  in  any  way  connecting  the  mound 
with  a  period  subsequent  to  White  contact,  was  discovered.  Under  the  circum 
stances,  we  think  the  mound  and  its  contents  may  safely  be  assigned  to  a  period 
prior  to  the  arrival  of  Europeans. 

Low  MOUNDS  SOUTH  OF  GRANT  MOUND. 

About  500  yards  in  a  southerly  direction  from  the  Grant  mound,  in  dense 
underbrush,  was  a  series  of  low  elevations  of  irregular  shape,  which  had  been 
considered  of  natural  formation,  by  persons  who  knew  of  their  existence. 


\ 
FIG.  43.     Plan  of  low  mouuds  south  of  Grant  mound. 

It  was  difficult  to  determine  whether  these  earthworks  consisted  of  one 
curved  ridge  with  occasional  depressions,  or  a  number  of  low  intersecting  mounds. 
For  purposes  of  description  we  shall  treat  them  as  a  series  of  mounds  as  figured 
in  accompanying  plan  (Fig.  43).  The  mounds  were  totally  demolished  by  per 
mission  of  James  B.  Grant,  Esq.,  the  owner. 

Mound  A.  Height,  4  feet ;  diameter  of  base,  36  feet.  But  two  burials  were 
discovered  in  this  mound,  both  of  the  bunched  variety,  one  representing  portions 


46  CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

of  two  skeletons.  In  addition,  two  bones  were  found  separately.  All  skeletal 
remains  and,  with  trifling  exceptions,  all  artifacts  were  deposited  near  the  margin. 

In  the  southern  margin,  about  1  foot  below  the  surface,  was  a  small  vase, 
imperforate  as  to  the  base,  with  interesting  decoration  as  shown  in  Plate  LXXV. 
Fig.  4.  A  portion  of  the  rim  is  wanting.  This  vase  was  apparently  un associ 
ated  with  human  remains. 

Two  feet  down  in  the  S.  S.  W.  margin,  unassociated  with  human  remains, 
were  two  bowls,  each  of  about  three  quarts  capacity.  The  material  is  inferior. 
Traces  of  red  pigment  are  visible  exteriorly. 

With  a  bunched  burial  in  the  southern  margin,  3.5  feet  from  the  surface, 
were  :  one  pebble-hammer ;  one  rounded  mass  of  stone  about  2  75  inches  in  diam 
eter,  flattened  on  one  side  and  slightly  pitted  at  places ;  one  columella  of  a  large 
marine  univalve,  considerably  affected  by  decay. 

A  polished  stone  "  celt"  lay  3.5  feet  from  the  surface,  about  1  foot  above 
a  bunched  burial. 

With  no  human   remains  in  association,   or.   at   least,  with    none   remaining, 

4  feet  from   the  surface,  were  :  one  small  "  celt ;"  one    slab    of   bituminous   slate, 

5  inches  by  6.25  inches  by  .75  of  one   inch,  rudely  cut  in  the  form  of  a  keystone; 
three  sheets  of  mica. 

One  and  one  half  feet  down  was  a  bowl  with  inverted  brim,  of  about  one 
quart  capacity,  bearing  traces  of  red  pigment.  Immediately  beneath  were  :  three 
incomplete  arrow-heads;  a  portion  of  another;  ten  fragments  of  chert  and  of 
sandstone,  showing  workmanship  to  a  certain  extent.  No  human  remains  were 
encountered  near  these  relics. 

Several  other  vessels  of  ordinary  type,  crushed  by  weight  of  sand,  were  met 
with  in  the  mound  and  numerous  sherds  of  good  material,  with  the  complicated 
stamp  of  Georgia  and  of  Carolina,  lay  loose  in  the  sand.  This  intricate  stamped 
decoration  is  not  met  with  on  the  St.  John's  river  farther  south  than  Dunn's 
Creek,  ten  miles  above  Palatka. 

Mound  B.  Height,  2  feet;  diameter  of  base,  28  feet.  With  the  exception 
of  one  fire  place,  no  evidence  of  human  origin  was  encountered. 

Mound  C.  Height,  3  feet ;  diameter  of  base,  30  feet.  One  small  sherd  alone 
was  recovered  from  this  mound. 

Mound  D.  Height,  3  feet  4  inches  ;  major  and  minor  axes  respectively  36 
feet  and  17  feet. 

Together,  toward  the  center,  with  a  few  fragments  of  human  remains,  in 
sand  dyed  with  red  hematite,  4  feet  from  the  surface,  were :  eleven  conchs 
(Fulgur  carica)  ;  numerous  shells  of  salt-water  mussels;  many  sections  of  colu- 
mellae  of  marine  univalves;  several  small  bits  of  stone. 

In  the  margin,  about  3  feet  down,  was  a  pocket  of  cherry  colored  sand 
leading  to  a  mass  of  crimson  pigment,  followed,  on  the  same  plane,  by  a  seam  of 
cherry  sand,  about  1  foot  in  length,  connecting  with  another  mass  of  pigment. 


CERTAIN   RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


47 


No  human  remains  were  discovered  in  association,  nor  were  there  apparently 
any  farther  traces  of  skeletal  remains  in  any  other  portion  of  the  mound. 

Mound  E.  Five  feet  eight  inches  in  height;  major  and  minor  axes  91  feet 
and  78  feet  respectively. 

This  mound  was  dug  through  with  great  care  at  a  level  considerably  below 
that  of  the  surrounding  territory. 

At  but  four  points  in  the  mound  were  skeletal  remains  encountered.  All 
interments  were  of  the  bunched  variety,  in  no  case  representing  the  full  comple 
ment  of  bones. 


Fio.44.     Sherd  with  complicated  stamped  decoration.     Low 
mounds  south  of  Grant  mound.     .Mound  K.     (  Kull  si/e.) 


Fid.  45.     Sherd  HhowiiiK  iiiiu-hed  <lecoration. 

Ijow  moundH  south  of  Grant  mound. 

Mound  E.     (Full  sine  ) 


The  mound  was  literally  filled  with  earthenware — whole  vessels,  fragmentary 
ones,  and  sherds.  Many  sherds  bore  complicated  stamps,  one  of  which  we  show 
in  Fig.  44.  Another  had  a  pinched  decoration  (Fig.  45). 

With  an  isolated  cranium.  '2  feet  S  inches  from  the  surface,  lay  a  piercing 
implement  of  bone,  badly  decayed,  with  a  number  of  large  fresh-water 'mussel  shells 


48  CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

(Unio  Jayanus,  Lea),  pierced  through  the  impression  of  the  anterior  adductor 
muscle,  to  enable  them  to  be  worn  strung  as  a  necklace.  These  large  shells  with 
the  nacreous  portion  in  evidence,  must  have  made  an  effective  showing.  In  addi 
tion,  were  portions  of  columellae  of  marine  univalves  and  a  vessel  of  earthenware. 
This  vessel,  12.2  inches  in  height,  has  a  maximum  diameter  of  8  inches.  It  is 
centrally  constricted  and  decorated  and  has  decoration  below  the  margin.  It  is 
imperforate  as  to  the  base  and  absolutely  intact  and  is  by  far  the  finest  specimen 
of  earthenware  recovered  by  us  from  any  Florida  mound.  Considerable  soot  remain 
ing  upon  it  shows  it  to  have  been  in  actual  use  (Plate  LXXVI). 

With  a  small  earthenware  pot  was  a  graceful  ovoid  vessel  of  good  material, 
handsomely  decorated  beneath  the  rim  (Plate  LXXVII).  Its  height  is  7.2  inches; 
its  maximum  diameter,  5  inches.  Considerable  soot  still  remains  upon  it,  showing 
culinary  use  for  so  ornamental  a  vessel.  A  portion  of  the  rim  and  body  is  wanting 
through  a  fracture  previous  to  inhumation  as  the  missing  portions  were  not  present 
with  the  remainder  of  the  vessel.  Below  the  line  of  the  fracture  is  a  perforation 
with  a  semi-perforation  a  short  distance  away.  It  is  evident  that  the  intention 
was,  by  boring  holes  in  the  broken  portion,  to  attach  it  to  the  remainder,  a  purpose 
for  some  reason  abandoned. 

A  small  bowl  with  two  compartments,  somewhat  crushed,  of  a  type  already 
noticed  by  us,  lay  about  1  foot  down  with  many  fragments  of  various  vessels.  It 
has  been  entirely  restored.  Length,  5.1  inches;  width.  3  inches;  height,  1.3 
inches. 

In  the  northern  slope,  5  feet  down,  were  two  vessels  together,  unaccompanied 
by  skeletal  remains.  One,  a  bowl  of  ordinary  type  but  of  good  material,  holding 
about  three  cpaarts,  has  traces  of  red  pigment  inside  and  out.  The  rim  projects. 
It  is  imperforate  as  to  base  and  otherwise  intact  with  the  exception  of  several 
cracks  produced  by  pressure. 

The  other,  gourd-shape,  of  yellow  ware,  absolutely  intact  save  a  slight  chip 
ping  at  the  mouth,  lay  on  its  side.  It  is  unorn  amen  ted  save  for  traces  of  red 
pigment.  Height,  9.G  inches;  maximum  diameter,  7. 7  inches;  diameter  of  aper 
ture,  2  inches  (Plate  LXXVIII).  About  1  foot  above  these  vessels  was  a  layer  of 
charcoal  nearly  4  feet  in  length. 

About  1  foot  below  the  surface,  with  fragments  of  various  vessels,  was  a  vessel 
with  two  compartments,  and  a  handle  somewhat  resembling  a  third,  though  much 
shallower.  Small  holes  had  been  broken  through  the  bottom  of  each  compartment. 
In  Plate  LXXIX,  Fig.  1  the  vessel  is  shown,  the  handle  to  the  front.  Length 
across  compartments,  G  inches;  across  handle  and  partition,  5.1  inches;  height, 
1.5  inches. 

About  2.5  feet  below  the  surface,  with  a  mass  of  crimson  pigment  about  the 
size  of  a  cocoanut,  and  apparently  not  in  proximity  to  human  remains,  were : 
sheets  of  mica;  two  pebble  hammers;  two  chips  of  chert ;  a  bit  of  clayey  substance 
about  the  size  of  a  chestnut;  the  head  of  a  shell  pin  with  shank  missing  through 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DCYAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  49 

decay ;  a  mass  of  bituminous  clay   about  2.5   inches  by  3  inches,  evenly  pitted  on 
one  side  to  the  size  of  about  the  first  joint  of  a  human  thumb. 

In  a  central  portion  of  the  mound.  :->  feet  down,  together,  each  resting  on  its 
base  which  showed  intentional  perforation  after  manufacture,  with  no  traces  of 
human  remains  apparent,  were  five  vessels  of  ordinary  t}-pe,  each  of  about  two 
quarts  capacity.  The  material  was  very  inferior,  several  dropping  to  pieces  after 
discovery.  The  only  decoration  was  traces  of  red  pigment  exteriorly. 

Surmounted  by  crimson  sand.  3  feet  9  inches  down,  together,  were  :  one  large 
tobacco  pipe  of  earthenware  of  ordinary  pattern  ;  one  thick  sheet  of  mica,  ?>  inches 
by  4  inches,  and  a  bit  of  marine  shell.  Here  again  no  skeletal  remains  were 
encountered. 

In  the  E.  N.  E.  margin  of  the  mound,  2  feet  down,  were  two  vessels  together,  one 
in  somewhat  fragmentary  condition,  in  addition  to  the  loss  of  a  portion  of  its  basel 
This  vessel,  of  medium  size,  offered  no  novelty  as  to  type.  Its  decoration  is  paralle. 
lines  running  diagonally.  The  second  vessel,  of  ware  fully  equal  to  any  found  by  us 
in  the  Florida  mounds,  has  a  capacity  of  about  five  quarts.  Bowl-shaped  in  form,  its 
rim,  1.5  inches  in  breadth,  is  inverted  horizontally.  It  is  interiorly  decorated  with 
crimson  pigment.  Portions  of  the  vessel,  broken  but  not  detached,  by  pressure  of 
sand,  were  readily  fastened  into  place.  Within  it  were  seven  pebbles  and  two 
chips  of  chert.  Nearby,  on  the  outside,  were  two  pebble  hammers  and  one  small 
bit  of  chert.  No  human  remains  were  evident  in  association. 

In  the  margin  of  the  mound,  un associated  with  human  remains,  together, 
were  two  small  undecorated  vessels,  rude  and  of  ordinary  type.  Their  bases 
were  intact. 

About  4  feet  down  was  an  isolated  cranium,  badly  decayed,  lying  in  cherry 
sand.     One  foot  distant,  in  the  same  plane,  lay  a  pebble 
hammer  of  considerable    size,  showing    use,  and   pitted 
on  one  side. 

Together,  in  the  southern  margin,  were  many  frag 
ments  of  a  small  bowl  and  a  globular  bowl  of  about  one 
quart  capacity,  the  bottom  of  which  had  been  knocked 
out  and,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  portion,  placed 
within  the  vessel. 

Two  and  one  half  feet  from  the  surface,  in  the 
southern  margin,  apparently  apart  from  human  re 
mains,  together,  were  :  three  small  undecorated  vessels  of 
ordinary  type  and  poor  material,  imperforate  as  to  bases; 
two  curious  toy  vessels,  unbroken,  with  side  perforations  FIG.  46.  Toy  vessel  of  earth- 
of  suspension,  one  showing  decoration  (Fig.  4(5).  In  euware.  Low  mounds  nouth 

of  Grant  mound.     Mound  E. 
addition  was  a  cylindrical  vessel  with  slightly  round  un-      (Full  ni/e.1 

perforate  base,  the  rim  somewhat  flaring.    The  decoration 

is  of  the  complicated  stamp  variety.      This  vessel  was  slightly  broken  by   contact 

with  the  spade.     With  all  these  were  a  number  of  pebbles,  chips  of  chert,  and  pieces 

7  JOURN.  A.  N.  S.  PHILA..  VOL.   X. 


50 


CERTAIN   RIVER   MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


of  marine  shell  which  probably  at  one 
time  had  some  definite  shape.  Again, 
human  remains  were  wanting. 

In  the  northwest  slope,  together,  un- 
associated  with  human  remains,  were  two 
rough  undecorated  bowls,  one  im perforate 
as  to  base,  the  other  showing  perforation 
intentionally  conferred.  With  these 
were  :  one  "celt"  of  polished  stone  ;  one 
small  boss  of  sheet  copper;  bits  of  sand 
stone  and  a  number  of  pieces  of  chert 
resembling  small  rude  arrowheads. 

Four  feet  from  the  surface,  with 
out  association,  in  red  sand,  was  a 
pendant  of  polished  banded  slate,  5.5 
inches  by  2.5  inches,  with  maximum 
thickness  of  about  1  inch  (Fig.  47). 

Two  feet  down,  apart  from  human 
remains,  were  a  polished  hatchet  of  stone 
and  a  fragmentary  ornament  of  sheet 
copper  with  central  double  perforation. 

A  small  vessel  of  ordinary  type  lay 
3.5  feet  from  the  surface.  With  it  was 
an  undecorated  cylindrical  vessel  with 
rounded  imperforate  base  and  slightly 
flaring  rim.  Height,  7.25  inches;  maxi 
mum  diameter,  4  inches;  aperture,  3.75 
inches.  With  these,  placed  one  within 
the  other,  were  several  cockle  shells 
(Cardium]. 

Occupying  a  central  position  in  the 
mound,  5  feet  from  the  surface,  in  pale  cherry  sand,  was  a  curious  medley  of 
objects  with  fragmentary  remains  of  an  adolescent  at  one  extremity  and  probably 
the  entire  skeleton  of  a  young  child  at  the  other.  Included  in  the  deposit  were  : 
bits  of  charcoal ;  a  large  clay  tobacco  pipe  of  the  usual  type  ;  a  curious  object  of 
polished  sedimentary  rock  (Fig.  48)  ;  a  slab  of  syenitic  rock,  entirely  smooth  and 
slightly  concave  on  one  side,  probably  a  sharpening  stone;  several  phalanges 
of  the  deer;  part  of  the  core  of  a  buck  horn;  two  "celts;"  hammer  stones; 
pebble  hammers ;  pebbles;  a  small  fragment  of  bitumen ;  many  worked  portions 
of  columellae  of  marine  univalves;  numerous  chips  of  chert,  some  very  diminutive; 
one  arrowhead  ;  bits  of  coquina  ;  sheets  of  mica  ;  a  small  bit  of  clayey  substance  ; 
one  small  undecorated  earthenware'bowl ;  one  cutting  implement  of  chipped  chert; 
many  large  and  small  beads  of  shell ;  a  circular  ornament  of  sheet  copper. 


FIG.  47.     Pendant  of  banded  slate.     Low  mounds 
south  of  Grant  mound.    Mound  B.     (Full  size.) 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


51 


Throughout  the  mound  were  various  other  bowls 
of  ordinary  types,  some  imperibrate ;  pebbles ;  bits  of 
marine  shells  and  the  like,  variously  associated  and  often 
in  pockets  of  cherry  or  reddish  sand. 

At  various  points  were  considerable  deposits  of  bits 
of  earthenware  representing  parts  of  different  bowls,  but 
in  no  case  sufficient  for  restoration. 


These  low  mounds  offer,  so  far  as  the  earthenware 
is  concerned,  a  striking  contrast  with  their  near  neighbor, 
the  great  Grant  mound.  In  that  mound  the  earthen 
ware,  almost  entirely  of  the  "  freak  "  mortuary  variety, 
showed  no  marks  of  domestic  use,  while  the  vessels  in 
the  low  mounds  were  in  many  cases  evidently  originally 
intended  for  culinary  purposes  and  bore  on  their  bases  and 
sides,  the  soot  received  during  domestic  use.  Earthen 
ware  of  complicated  stamped  decoration, virtually  absent 
from  the  Grant  mound,  abounded  in  these  low  neighbor 
ing  mounds. 

As  we  have  stated,  human  remains  were  encountered 
at  but  four  points  in  the  largest  mound.  That  so  great 
a  heap  of  sand  should  have  been  thrown  up  for  so  few 
interments  seems  unlikely,  in  view  of  the  number  of  art 
relics  found  in  every  portion.  In  mounds  where  relics 
are  inhumed  in  a  general  way,  they  are  found  in  a  central 
position  and  somewhat  superficially.  We  deem  it  not 
unlikely  that  all  traces  of  other  interments  in  this  mound 
have  entirely  disappeared. 

Nothing  was  discovered  in  these  low  mounds  in  any  way  connecting  them  with 
a  period  other  than  pre-Columbian. 

Low  MOUNDS  NEAR  HORSESHOE  LANDING. 

These  low  mounds  and  ridges  lie  about  500  yards  in  a  southerly  direction 
from  the  landing.  They  were  thickly  covered  with  scrub  and  had  sustained  no 
previous  examination.  Our  investigation  was  conducted  with  the  kind  permission 
of  J.  B.  Parsons,  Esq.,  the  owner. 

Mound  A,  the  easternmost,  was  somewhat  irregular  in  shape,  and  had  an 
average  diameter  of  base  of  50  feet.  Its  maximum  height  was  3  feet  7  inches.  It 
was  completely  demolished. 

Human  remains  were  encountered  but  four  times,  in  each  case  but  a  small 
portion  of  the  skeleton  being  represented. 


Fi(i.  48.  Unidentified  ob 
ject  of  sedimentary  rock.  Low 
mound*  south  of  Grant 
mound.  Mound  E.  (Full 
size.) 


52 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


Sherds  were  infrequently  met  with.  Several  bore  the  complicated  stamp  of 
the  type  encountered  in  neighboring  low  mounds.  Three  undecorated  vessels  of 
medium  size  and  of  poor  material  came  from  various  depths.  One  of  these,  on  four 
sides,  about  equidistant,  showed  careful  chipping  away  of  material  without  perfora 
tion.  The  base  had  been  treated  in  a  similar  manner  over  an  extent  about  2.5 
inches  in  diameter.  We  have  before  met  with  chipping  of  this  nature  at  one  or  pos 
sibly  two  points  on  the  surface  of  certain  vessels,  but  never  before  have  we  noticed 
it  executed  with  such  evident  intent. 

Three  feet  down  was  a  small  hatchet  of  stone  and  two  arrow  heads,  in  a 
pocket  of  sand  blackened  by  fire.  No  skeletal  remains  were  in  association. 

Together,  unassociated  with  human  remains,  3  feet  down,  were  eleven  frag 
ments  of  stone  including  four 
partially  completed  arrowheads, 
the  end  of  a  polished  chisel,  and 
six  bits  of  chert.  In  addition, 
variously  associated,  were  small 
"  celts,"  mussel  shells,  smoothing 
stones,  pebbles  and  arrowheads. 
Several  of  these  arrowheads  were 
coated  as  to  the  tangs,  with 
bitumen  which  bore  the  impress 
of  some  long-fibred  wood,  prob 
ably  reed  or  cane. 

Certain  other  smaller  mounds 
in  the  immediate  neighborhood 
were  partially  investigated  with 
negative  results. 

About  one  quarter  of  a  mile 
in  a  southerly  direction  from  the 

low  mounds  was  a  mound  on  the  property  of  an   old   colored   man  named   Brutus. 
Its  shape  was  somewhat  unusual  (Fig.  49). 

A  careful  investigation,  not,  however,  carried  to  complete  demolition,  indi 
cated  its  erection  for  other  than  sepulchral  purposes. 

BROWAKD  MOUND. 

This  symmetrical  mound,  in  the  pine  woods,  about  one  quarter  of  a  mile 
northwest  from  Cedar  Creek  Landing,  had  a  height  of  8  feet,  a  breadth  of  60  feet 
across  the  base. 

It  was  totally  demolished  with  the  courteous  permission  of  its  owner,  Napoleon 
Broward,  Esq.,  of  Jacksonville. 

Above  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory  was  an  irregular  layer,  from 
6  inches  to  14  inches  in  thickness,  of  pure  white  sand  often  containing  beds  and 


FKJ.  49.     Plan  of  Brutus  mound. 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  53 

pieces  of  charcoal.  The  remainder  of  the  mound  was  of  yellowish  sand  with  local 
streaks  and  pockets  of  white  sand  throughout  and  several  small  seams  of  cherry 
colored  sand  in  the  northeastern  portion. 

Human  remains  were  not  present  in  the  marginal  portion  of  the  mound  but 
were  encountered  toward  the  center  at  twelve  different  places.  The  usual 
bunched  burial  of  fragmentary  portions  of  the  skeleton  prevailed.  Four  times, 
isolated  crania  were  encountered.  Again,  shafts  of  a  femur  and  tibia  lay  with  a 
pelvis  .and  a  single  vertebra.  In  one  case  two  long  bones  represented  an  entire 
burial  and  again,  a  single  humerus  was  found  unassociated.  The  bones,  in  the  last 
stage  of  decay,  were  encountered  at  different  depths,  from  the  base  to  within  a 
short  distance  of  the  surface. 

Sherds  were  infrequently  met  with. 

Two  and  one-half  feet  from  the  surface,  near  no  human  remains,  was  an 
interesting  cylindrical  cup  4.4  inches  in  height,  with  a  diameter  of  2.8  inches.  It 
is  absolutely  intact.  The  base  is  flat,  permitting  the  maintenance  of  an  upright 
position.  There  are  two  holes  for  suspension  at  opposite  sides  of  the  rim.  It  has 
interesting  incised  and  punctate  decoration  (Plate  LXXIX,  Fig.  2). 

Chippings,  flakes,  and  cores,  of  chert,  so  abundant  in  some  mounds,  were  want 
ing  in  this  one. 

In  all,  five  polished  stone  hatchets  were  met  with,  four  separately  in  caved  sand, 
one  about  2  feet  from  the  surface.  None  seemed  to  be  in  the  neighborhood  of 
human  remains. 

A  serrated  arrowhead  of  chert  lay,  unassociated,  1  foot  from  the  surface. 

A  pebble  about  2  inches  long,  showing  use  at  either  end,  completed  the  list  of 
art  relics  taken  from  the  mound. 

REMARKS. 

The  Broward  mound  is  typical  of  a  certain  class  of  sand  mounds  met  with  on 
the  St.  Johns  in  that  the  considerable  amount  of  material  was  wholly  dispro 
portionate  to  the  small  number  of  interments. 

In  another  respect  also  it  was  typical  of  certain  mounds  of  the  river.  All 
relics  were  comparatively  centrally  located,  and,  so  nearly  as  could  be  determined, 
at  no  great  distance  from  the  surface  and  unassociated  with  skeletal  remains, 
showing  the  inhumation  of  art  relics  to  have  been  made  toward  the  completion  of 
the  mound,  in  common.  There  were,  however,  it  must  be  remembered,  many 
mounds  on  the  St.  Johns,  not  embraced  in  this  class,  where  artifacts  were  dis 
covered  from  the  margin  throughout  and  associated  with  human  remains.  Of  this 
class  of  mounds  were  that  at  Tick  Island,  Thursby  mound,  the  mound  at  Blue 
Creek,  and  others. 

Nothing  in  the  Broward  mound  gave  evidence  of  White  contact. 


54 


CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 


Low  MOUNDS  NEAR  REDDIE  POINT. 

About  one-quarter  of  a  mile  in  from  the  landing  at  Reddie  Point  were  two 

low  mounds  on  the  property  of 
Dr.  Anita  Tyng. 

The  larger  mound  had  a  base 
diameter  of  80  feet.  The  terri 
tory  is  reported  to  have  been  in 
use  for  years  as  a  cotton  field, 
and  the  mound  had  been  virtu 
ally  levelled.  At  three  points 
near  the  margin  were  deep  de 
pressions  from  which  the  material 
had  been  taken.  The  mound 
was  dug  through  at  a  depth  vary 
ing  from  4  feet  to  6  feet  below 
the  surface.  It  was  composed  of 
yellowish  sand,  unstratified,  with 
the  usual  charcoal  and  fire  places. 

Human  remains, infrequently 
met  with  and  fragmentary,  were 
found  so  far  down  as  4  i'eet. 

Earthenware  was  repre 
sented  by  several  vessels  of  ordi 
nary  type  and  si/e.  undecorated 
and  of  poor  quality.  All  showed 
portions  missing  from  the  base 
through  intentional  fracture. 
Other  pots  had  important  por 
tions  missing  and  evidently  had 
been  utilized  for  mortuary  pur 
poses. 

Sherds  were  mainly  undeco 
rated,  some,  however,  bearing  an 
intricate  stamped  design  (Plate 
LXXIX,  Fig.  3). 

Two  ';  celts"  and  two  arrow- 


Fio.  50.     Sheet  of  mica  given  the  outline  of  a  lance-point. 
Larger  mound  near  Reddie  Point.     (Full  si/e.) 


heads  were  found  separately,  and  numbers  of  pebbles  and  pebble  hammers  variously 
associated.  Mica  was  in  comparative  abundance.  One  sheet  had  been  rudely 
given  the  outline  of  a  lance  point  (Fig.  50). 

Four  feet  from  the  surface,  with  human  remains  and   shell  beads,  some  over 
one  inch  in  length,  was  a  neatly  made  ornament  elliptical  in   shape,  with  central 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  55 

perforation.  The  material  is  of  sedimentary  origin,  composed  mainly  of  iron 
pyrites.  Length,  1.3  inches;  breadth,  1.2  inches  (Fig.  51). 

Apparently  nnassociated  was  a  mass  of  somewhat  deteriorated  Hematite,  about 
the  size  of  a  clenched  hand. 

A  small  fragment  of  sheet  copper  lay  with  human  remains. 

Near  an  isolated  lower  jaw  were  three  small  ornaments  of  sheet  copper,  of 


FIG.  52.    Ornament  of  sheet   copper. 
Fiu.  ol.     Pendent  ornament.     Larger  mound  near  Reddie      Larger  mound  near  Heddie  Point.     (Full 
Point.    (Full  size.)  size.) 

about  the  same  size,  oblong  with  rounded  corners  (Fig.  52)  and  a  portion  of  an 
other.  At  the  end  on  one  side  of  each  of  the  three  unbroken  ones  was  a  flat  circular 
deposit  of  bitumen,  used  for  purposes  of  attachment. 

About  25  yards  east  of  this  mound  was  another  with  a  height  of  about  1.5  feet 
and  a  diameter  of  base  of. GO  feet. 

It  was  completely  dug  through. 

No  copper  was  present  in  this  mound.  In  other  respects  it  resembled  many 
mounds  of  the  neighborhood  as  to  deposits  of  mica,  pebble  hammers,  arrowheads, 
and  the  like. 

MOUND  AT  DANIEL'S  LANDING. 

This  mound,  about  one-quarter  of  a  mile  in  a  northerly  direction  from  the 
landing,  had  long  been  under  cultivation,  and  had  previously  been  dug  into  to  a 
considerable  extent. 

Its  height  was  2.5  feet ;  its  diameter  of  base,  GO  feet.  It  was  virtually 
demolished. 

The  usual  fragments  of  shell,  mica,  etc.,  were  present  with  fragmentary  human 
remains. 

Low  MOUNDS  AT  ALICIA. 

On  the  property  of  John  G.  Driggs,  Esq..  of  Jacksonville,  to  whom  our  thanks 
are  tendered  for  permission  to  investigate,  at  Alicia,  about  400  yards  in  from  the 
landing,  were  four  low  mounds. 

Mound  A.  Height,  3.5  feet;  diameter  of  base,  45  feet.  This  mound  was 
about  two-thirds  demolished  by  us,  human  remains  in  small  fragments  being  en 
countered  at  three  points.  Near  the  center  was  a  mass  of  sandstone  pitted  on 


56  CERTAIN  RIVER  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY,  FLORIDA. 

either  side,  weighing  about  ten  pounds.     Nothing  else  of  interest  was  encountered. 

Joining  mounds  A  and  B  was  a  causeway  about  28  feet  long,  1  foot  4  inches 
in  height,  with  an  average  width  of  12  feet  at  the  base. 

Mound  B.  A  considerable  portion  of  this  mound  had  been  carted  away  for 
use  on  the  neighboring  orange  grove.  The  discovery  of  many  art  relics  is  said  to 
have  been  made  at  the  time.  The  height  of  the  remainder  of  the  mound  was 
about  18  inches.  Judging  from  trees  still  remaining,  the  original  maximum  alti 
tude  was  from  3  feet  to  4  feet.  The  diameter  of  the  base  was  86  feet. 

The  mound  was  carefully  dug  through  by  twenty  men  during  two  and  one- 
half  days. 

The  sand  was  of  a  brownish  color,  apparently  from  effects  of  fire  and  a  con 
siderable  intermingling  of  particles  of  charcoal.  This  combination  extended  about 
2  feet  below  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory.  Relics  were  found  from  the 
margin  in,  both  above  and  below  a  dark  line  showing  a  large  percentage  of  charcoal, 
which  ran  through  the  mound  at  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory  and  seem 
ingly  marked  where  a  fire  had  been  built  after  the  filling  of  an  excavation. 

Human  remains  were  represented  by  small  fragments  in  the  last  stage  of 
decay. 

As  much  of  the  contents  of  this  mound  suggest  those  of  many  low  neighboring 
mounds,  we  shall  not  give  in  detail  the  various  associations  of  pebbles,  pebble- 
hammers,  mica,  chips  of  chert,  hones  of  sandstone,  marine  shells,  and  fragments 
of  shell  contained  therein. 

Three  "celts"  were  met  with,  several  arrowheads,  small  pendants  of  shell, 
and  at  one  point  a  large  mass  of  crimson  pigment. 

Near  the  base,  that  is  to  say  about  2  feet  below  the  general  level,  or  3.5  feet 
down,  together,  were :  two  pebbles;  a  toy  pot  ;  a  shark's  tooth,  and  142  minute 
chippings  of  chert. 

Earthenware  constituted  the  feature  of  the  mound,  and  was  encountered  in 
great  abundance,  though,  with  two  or  three  exceptions,  so  poor  was  the  material 
that  vessels  were  recovered  in  a  very  fragmentary  condition.  Certain  large  vessels 
and  numerous  smaller  ones,  inhumed  with  portions  missing  and  badly  crushed  by 
weight  of  sand,  were  abandoned. 

Sherds  were  abundant  and,  in  common  with  fragmentary  vessels,  presented 
various  intricate  stamped  designs  shown  in  Plate  LXXX,  and  Plate  LXXXT,  Figs. 
1  and  2. 

Lined  and  punctate  decoration  also  was  represented  on  fragmentary  vessels 
and  sherds,  while  in  one  case  the  use  of  a  small  tubular  stamp  was  apparent,  show 
ing  a  circular  prominence  surrounded  by  a  depression. 

Of  the  larger  vessels,  some  of  so  much  as  about  four  gallons  capacity,  none 
was  capable  of  restoration.  Four  vessels  were  recovered  intact,  and  nine  in  a  more 
or  less  imperfect  condition.  Four  vessels  were  imperforate  as  to  the  base ;  the 
remainder,  and  apparently  all  others  interred  in  the  mound,  had  suffered  intentional 
mutilation  of  the  base  after  completion. 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF  DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  57 

Two  small  bowls  lay  together,  one  containing  the  other.  A  vessel  of  good 
material,  thick  and  heavy,  somewhat  globular,  with  sloping  rim,  is  decorated  with 
red  pigment  inside  and  out.  A  portion  of  the  base  is  missing.  Maximum 
diameter,  5.8  inches;  depth.  3.4  inches;  diameter  of  orifice,  o.G  inches  (Plate 
LXXXI,  Fig  3). 

An  interesting  vase  was  recovered  virtually  intact.  Its  height  is  9  inches ; 
maximum  diameter  of  body,  4  inches;  diameter  of  aperture.  4.2  inches.  The 
imperforate  base  is  flat  with  a  diameter  of  about  1.75  inches.  Interesting  incised 
and  punctate  decoration  surrounds  the  rim  to  a  depth  of  about  2.5  inches.  On  one 
side  are  two  perforations  about  1.5  inches  apart,  nearly  three  inches  below  the  rim. 
Their  use  is  not  apparent  (Plate  LXXXII). 

One  tobacco  pipe  of  earthenware  came  from  the  mound.  The  type  is  the 
same  as  that  found  in  the  neighboring  mounds  with  the  exception  that,  on  the 
part  facing  the  smoker,  two  raised  parallel  lines,  one  at  either  side,  run  the  entire 
length  of  the  pipe. 

The  two  remaining  mounds  at  Alicia,  each  about  the  she  of  Mound  A.  were 
not  investigated.  One  had  been  utilized  as  a  place  of  burial  within  recent  years. 

DENTON  MOUND. 

About  one-half  mile  east  of  Chaseville.  in  thick  undergrowth,  was  a  ridge  or 
possibly  three  intersecting  mounds  of  irregular  shape,  the  largest  to  the  east,  two 
smaller  side  by  side  to  the  west.  The  length  of  the  ridge  was  77  feet.  The 
eastern  end  was  40  feet  across ;  the  western,  30  feet.  The  maximum  height, 
which  was  near  the  eastern  extremity,  was  2.5  feet.  These  low  mounds  were  not 
before  supposed  to  be  aboriginal  remains,  and  had  undergone  no  previous 
investigation. 

They  were  completely  dug  through  with  the  consent  of  the  owner,  James  L. 
Denton.  Esq.,  of  Jamaica,  N.  Y. 

The  usual  yellow  sand  and  charcoal  were  present. 

Human  remains  were  few  and  very  fragmentary. 

Sherds  were  infrequently  met  with.  One  small  bowl,  undecorated.  was  broken 
by  contact  with  a  spade.  An  undecorated  globular  vessel,  perforated  through  the 
base  after  completion,  had  a  height  of  about  2.5  inches,  and  a  diameter  of  3.75 
inches  approximately. 

Three  feet  from  the  surface,  in  numerous  fragments,  crushed  contemporary 
with  or  previous  to  inhumation  and  with  certain  missing  portions  chipped  oft'  by 
use  of  a  pointed  tool,  was  a  vessel  of  great  interest.  This  vessel,  of  excellent 
material  and  graceful  design,  with  incised  decoration  of  straight  diagonal  and  of 
curved  lines,  has  on  one  side,  the  repousse  head  of  a  duck,  neatly  made.  The 
upper  portion  of  a  similar  head  is  on  the  opposite  side.  As  we  have  said,  this 
form  of  ornamentation,  so  novel  for  Florida,  is.  in  this  case,  repousse,  and  was  not 
modelled  previously  and  fastened  on  by  pressure,  as  is  the  case  of  the  human  head 
from  the  mound  near  Old  Okahumpka.  described  in  this  volume.  These  two  ex- 

8  JOURN.  A.  N.  S.  PHILA..  VOL.   X. 


58 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,   FLORIDA. 


amples  of  such  use  of  effigies  of  heads  are  the  only  ones  to  come  under  our  notice 
in  Florida.  The  height  of  this  interesting  vessel  is  7.75  inches;  its  maximum 
diameter.  10.5  inches;  diameter  of  aperture,  4.5  inches.  It  is  shown,  pieced 
together,  in  Plate  LXXXIII,  while  in  Plate  LXXXIV,  Fig.  1,  we  give  a  front 
view  of  the  head. 

We  have  above  alluded  to  the  chipping  off  of  portions  of  vessels,  with  pointed 
implements.  In  Part  II  of  our  report  on  the  St.  Johns  mounds  we  spoke  of  many 
sherds  not  broken  but  detached  by  piercing  implements,  and  stated  that  this 
curious  custom  seemed  to  be  confined  to  a  limited  area  bordering  the  lower  portion 
of  the  St.  Johns  River.  Since  the  publication  of  that  report,  we  have  noted  the 
occurrence  of  these  peculiar  sherds  and  of  vessels  intentionally  deprived  of  certain 
parts  by  the  aid  of  pointed  implements,  at  points  throughout  a  wide  area,  including 
a  mound  on  the  Econlockhatchee  Creek,  Orange  County,  about  thirty-five  miles  by 
water  south  of  Sanford,  and  certain  mounds  of  Crescent  Lake.  Putnam  County. 

A  sheet  of  mica  and  a  hand 
some  arrow  point  of  jasper  were 
the  only  other  art  relics  dis 
covered  in  the  mound. 

About  10  feet  south  of  the 
western  extremity  of  the  Denton 
mound  was  a  mound  about  1  foot 
in  height  and  20  feet  across  the 
base.  In  the  center,  about  2.5 
feet  down,  was  a  small  layer  of 
charred  human  bones.  Two  or 
three  sherds  completed  the  con 
tents  of  the  mound. 

Two  Low  MOUNDS  AT 
CHASEVILLE. 

On  the  propert}-  of  Mr.  I. 
Harrington,  who  readily  granted 
permission  to  explore,  was  the 
site  of  a  mound  which  had  been 
entirely  leveled  and  carted  to  an 
adjacent  field.  The  diameter  was 
about  -50  feet.  It  probably  once 
had  a  height  of  about  2  feet. 

It  was  completely  dug 
through  at  a  depth  of  2.5  feet 
below  the  surface.  The  usual 


Fig.  53.     Lance-head  of  chert.     Mound  at  Chaseville. 
(Full  size.) 


CERTAIN    RIVER   MOUNDS   OF   DUVAL   COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  59 

mica,  chips  of  chert,  fragments  of  marine  shells,  variously  associated,  were  present, 
and  in  addition,  a  noble  barbed  lance-head  of  reddish  chert.  5  inches  in  length, 
lying  with  a  shell  chisel  at  a  depth  of  2  feet  (Fig.  53).  No  human  remains  were 
met  with. 

A  few  yards  from  the  mound  just  described,  on  the  property  of  Mrs.  Mary 
Bennevis.  was  a  mound  one  foot  in  height,  with  a  diameter  of  base  of  about  20 
feet. 

About  1.5  feet  from  the  surface  was  a  central  deposit  of  human  bones  repre 
senting  parts  of  various  skeletons.  No  others  were  met  with. 

Loose  in  the  sand  and  singly  were:  one  undecorated  bowl  in  fragments;  one 
cube  of  lead  sulphide;  one  arrowhead;  one  bit  of  pottery  intentionally  given  the 
outline  of  the  arrow  point  and  various  sherds. 

Low   MOUNDS  AT   FLORAL  BI.ITF. 

By  the  roadside,  about  300  yards  inland  from  the  landing  at  Floral  Bluff,  on 
the  property  of  Mr.  G.  II.  Shepard,  to  whom  we  wish  to  express  our  thanks,  was 
an  asymmetrical  mound,  or.  more  properly,  a  V-shaped  ridge,  having  its  maximum 
height  of  4.5  feet  in  the  western  arm,  about  50  feet  from  the  apex  which  points 
almost  due  south.  The  western  arm  has  a  length  of  170  feet ;  the  eastern,  about 
30  feet  less.  The  maximum  width  of  the  western  arm  was  40  feet  ;  that  of  the 
eastern,  37  feet. 

The  most  prominent  portions  of  the  ridge  were  dug  through  at  considerable 
depth. 

Human  remains — mere  fractional  portions  of  the  skeleton — were  encountered 
seven  times,  all  within  an  area  of  a  few  square  yards,  beneath  the  highest  portion 
of  the  ridge. 

With  human  remains,  about  3  feet  down,  was  a  large  tobacco  pipe  of  earthen 
ware,  one  portion  filled  with  bitumen  and  with  a  considerable  quantity  near  by. 
This  pipe,  somewhat  broken,  had  all  portions  present.  About  1  foot  above  was  a 
smaller  tobacco  pipe  of  earthenware  in  many  fragments  and  incapable  of 
restoration. 

About  3.5  feet  from  the  surface,  near  human  remains,  was  a  vessel  of  bean- 
shaped  outline  of  about  one  quart  capacity.  Its  base  is  intact.  Traces  of  red  pig 
ment  are  inside  and  out  (Plate  LXXXIV,  Fig.  2).  With  it  were  many  pebbles 
and  chips  of  chert. 

At  various  depths  ware  nests  of  fragments  of  parts  of  different  vessels  laid 
away  together,  and  one  deposit  of  many  minute  chippings  of  chert. 


Two  Sand  Mounds  on  Murphy 
Island,  Florida. 

BY  CLARENCE  B.   MOORE. 


TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON  MURPHY  ISLAND,  FLORIDA. 


BY  CLARENCE  B.  MOORE. 


Murphy  Island,  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  St.  Johns  River,  by  water  ten  miles 
.south  of  Paint  ka.  Putnam  County,  is  separated  from  the  mainland  by  a  small 
stream  known  as  Murphy  Creek. 

Two  sand  mounds  and  a  considerable  shell  deposit  were  briefly  noticed  by  us 
in  Part  I.  "Certain  Sand  Mounds  of  the  St.  Johns  River.  Florida."' 

Unfortunately,  during  our  investigation  of  the  mounds  of  the  St.  Johns,  we 
were  unable  to  come  to  terms  with  the  owner  of  the  property,  but  have,  however, 
availed  ourselves  of  an  arrangement  subsequently  made. 

Neither  of  the  sand  mounds  on  Murphy  Island  is  believed  to  have  sustained 
any  previous  investigation,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  hole  in  one.  made  by  a 
party  of  excursionists  from  Palatka  during  part  of  one  day  in  the  early  seventies. 

The  northernmost  mound,  visible  from  the  steamboat  landing,  was  one  of  the 
most  symmetrical  earthworks  we  have  encountered  in  Florida.  Its  shape  was 
almost  a  perfect  truncated  cone;  the  slope  of  the  sides  being  at  an  angle  of  thirty 
degrees.  The  diameter  of  base  was  80  feet :  that  of  the  summit  plateau,  21  feet; 
the  height  11  feet  '.)  inches. 

Large  sweet-orange   trees  and  towering  palmettoes  grew  on  the  top  and  sides. 

The  mound  was  totally  demolished  bv  us  during  four  and  one-half  days  of 
June.  IS'.I"). 

The  body  oF  the  mound  was  composed  of  the  whitish  sand  of  the  surrounding 
territory,  with  the  marginal  portions.  4  feet  or  '">  feet  in.  dved  a  light  pink 
through  intentional  admixture  of  the  red  oxide  of  iron.  Pockets  of  pink  sand  and 
of  light  chocolate  colored  sand,  some  of  considerable  size,  were  encountered  through 
out  the  mound.  The  material  of  the  mound  was  notably  cohesive  as  through  a 
certain  admixture  of  clay.  Although  a  considerable  deposit  of  raludiiuc  and 
Ampullariee  with  fire  places,  fragmentary  bones  of  lower  animals  and  all  the  usual 
midden  refuse,  exists  within  a  short  distance  of  the  site  of  the  mound,  no  shells 
were  encountered  at  any  depth  beneath  the  immediate  surface  where  cultivatii  n 
would  not  explain  their  presence.  We  were  informed  that  superficial  shells  had 
been  hauled  from  the  adjacent  shell  heap  to  serve  as  a  lertili/er. 

1  Journ.  A  cad.  Nat.  Kci.,  Vol.  X. 


64  TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON  MURPHY  ISLAND,  FLORIDA. 

HUMAN    REMAINS. 

Burials  were  of  the  bunched  variety,  which,  our  readers  will  recall,  consists 
of  piles  of  bones  previously  denuded  of  flesh  by  exposure  to  the  elements.  In  this 
case  separate  interments  were  often  represented  by  isolated  crania  or  by  various 
long  bones  of  one  skeleton  or  of  several  individuals. 

Certain  burials  found  near  the  surface  with  iron  implements  and  glass  beads 
had  also  the  appearance  of  belonging  to  the  bunched  variety  of  interment,  though 
of  these  we  may  not  speak  positively  as  they  had  possibly  been  subjected  to  dis 
turbance  by  subsequent  cultivation  of  the  mound  and  the  setting  out  and  removal 
of  orange  trees. 

In  that  portion  of  the  mound  included  in  the  slope  and  not  covered  by  the 
summit  plateau,  human  remains  were  noted  at  forty-eight  different  points,  many 
of  these  deposits,  however,  including  the  remains  of  a  number  of  individuals. 

In  that  portion  of  the  mound  beneath  the  summit  plateau,  that  is  to  say,  a 
mass  of  material  about  12  feet  high  and  21  feet  in  diameter,  interments  were  so 
numerous  at  places  and  so  frequently  in  contact — single  crania,  bunches  of  long 
bones  and  great  layers  of  human  remains,  over  one  foot  in  thickness  in  places — 
that  all  efforts  to  record  the  number  of  individuals  represented,  were  abandoned. 
Moreover,  in  many  places — and  this  applies  also  to  other  portions  of  the  mound — 
mere  discoloration  of  the  sand  or  at  most  yellowish  powder,  marked  the  former 
presence  of  bones. 

No  human  remains  were  encountered  at  a  depth  greater  than  12  feet,  though 
certain  objects  of  aboriginal  design  were  fully  one  foot  lower. 

No  skeletal  remains  were  preserved. 

EARTHENWARE. 

The  earthenware  of  this  mound  was  of  markedly  inferior  quality  and  design. 

In  the  northern  portion  of  the  mound,  including  about  one-third  of  the  circum 
ference,  beginning  near  the  margin  and  extending  in  for  about  15  feet,  between  2 
and  3  feet  from  the  base,  was  a  curious  layer  of  bits  of  earthenware  and  consider 
able  fragments  of  vessels.  These  sherds  were  not  laid  in  close  proximity  but  at 
irregular  distances,  here  and  there,  as  though  strewn  upon  that  portion  of  the 
mound  during  its  erection.  No  human  remains  were  encountered  with  these 
sherds. 

None  but  comparatively  small  vessels  were  recovered  inta.ct,  though,  from  a 
considerable  depth,  near  the  center  of  the  mound,  four  vessels  of  several  quarts 
capacity  each,  but  fragmentary  and  incomplete,  were  found  in  association.  Several 
large  fragments  and  one  complete  vessel  had  basal  supports  which  we  have  noted 
as  present  in  but  three  or  four  other  mounds  of  the  St.  Johns.  The  use  of  feet  on 
early  aboriginal  earthenware  is  unusual  in  any  section  of  the  United  States,  and 


TWO  SAND  MOl'NDS  (>N   Ml'IMMIV   ISLAND.   KLOKIDA.  65 

we  are  informed  that  the  clay  pots  found  in  Ontario  are  round  hottoincd  and  with 
out  supports.1 

It  has  been  suggested  that  feet  on  aboriginal  vessels  of  earthenware  might 
possibly  be  attributed  to  an  imitation  of  metallic  (onus  obtaiiud  in  m  the  Whites. 
So  far  as  our  experience  goes,  we  are  strongly  inclined  to  doubt  this,  since  we  have 
always  obtained  earthenware  with  basal  supports  from  depths  to  guarantee  original 
deposit  in  mounds  where  evidence  of  European  influence,  if  present  at  all.  was 
superficial.  Moreover,  the  European  kettle  with  feet,  if  we  mistake  not.  had  three 
supports,  while  the  pottery  of  the  Florida  mounds,  when  supplied  with  feet,  has 
four. 

While  the  bases  of  a  majority  of  the  vessels  of  the  mound  showed  perforation 
after  manufacture,  some  were  entire,  and  a  few  samples  of  the  "freak"  variety  of 
ready  made  mortuary  pottery,  with  perforation  of  base  previous  to  baking,  also 
were  present.  This  perforation  of  the  base  of  earthenware  bv  the  aborigines  of 
the  Peninsula  was  done,  it  is  believed,  to  free  the  soul  of  the  vessel  to  accompany 
the  spirit  of  the  dead  to  the  land  beyond. 

As  a  rule,  though  with  occasional  exceptions,  vessels  seemed  to  be  unassociatul 
with  human  remains,  though  taking  into  consideration  the  advanced  state  of  decay 
of  some  of  the  bones,  exact  determination  was  impossible.  It  is  not  unlikely, 
however,  that  most  of  the  earthenware  was  put  into  the  mound  in  a  general  way. 
and  not  to  accompany  individual  interments. 

In  all,  twenty-five  vessels  of  earthenware  were  found  in  the  Murphy  Island 
mound  in  a  condition  to  justify  removal.  These,  in  common  with  vessels  in  frag 
ments  and  isolated  sherds,  were  almost  invariably  at  considerable  depth — some  so 
low  as  I :-»  feet  from  the  surface.  None  bore  stamped,  punctate,  or  incised  super 
ficial  ornamentation.  One  small  vessel  of  the  "  freak"  mortuarv  variety.  2.o  inches 
in  height  with  a  diameter  of  2.7  inches  across  its  laterally  extending  rim.  and  l.li-") 
inches  through  the  body,  was  covered  with  crimson  pigment  inside  and  out.  The 
base  showed  perforation  prior  to  baking. 

One  vessel.  4.4  inches  in  height  with  a  diameter  of  o.o  inches,  had  a  rude 
tinting  around  the  body  surmounted  by  the  remains  of  an  encircling  projecting 
baud  1.")  inches  below  the  aperture.  The  entire  bottom  had  been  knocked  out. 
This  vessel  lay  \'2  feet  down  with  another  broken  vessel. 

About  7  feet  down  were  three  bowls,  the  largest  with  a  diameter  of  14  inches, 
containing  the  other  two.  one  within  the  other.  Near  by  lay  a  fourth.  These 
vessels,  incomplete  at  the  discovery,  later  fell  into  pieces,  rendering  restoration 
impossible — no  great  loss,  so  poor  was  their  quality  and  so  ordinary  their  type. 
We  have  already  made  reference  to  them. 

Ten  feet  from  the  surface  was  an  imperforate  pot  resembling  a  crucible  in 
shape.  Height.  '!  inches;  diameter  at  mouth.  "2. "2  inches;  diameter  at  base.  1  inch. 

1  •' Note*  on  Primitive  Man  in  Ontario,"  hy  David  Hoyle,  Toronto,  189o.  page  HI. 
9  JOUKX.   A.   X.  S.   ]'HII,A..  VOL.   X. 


6(5 


TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON  MURPHY  ISLAND,   FLORIDA. 


With  it  was  ;i  toy  vessel  also  intact  as  to  the  base,  having  a  height  ol'  1.5  inches; 
a  diameter  at  aperture  ol'  1.4  inches,  and  .9  of  one  inch  across  the  base  (Fig.  54). 
A  spool-shaped  object  of  earthenware,  with  edges  slightly  broken,  has  a  height 
of  3  inches;  a  diameter  at  each  expanded  end  of  2  inches;  a  diameter  through  the 
body  of  1.5  inches.  These  spool-shaped  objects  of  earthenware  probably  belong  to 
the  "freak"  variety.  We  have  figured  one1  from  the  mound  at  Davenport  on  the 
Ocklawaha,  and  found  a  somewhat  similar  specimen  in  the  mound  in  the  pine 
woods  near  Duval's.  Lake  County. 


FKI.  .Vt.  Toy  vessel  of  earth 
enware.  Northernmost 
mound, Murphy  Island.  (Full 
size. ) 


Fui.  oo.     Tobacco  pipe  of  earthenware.     Northernmost  mound, 
Murphy  Island.     (Full  sine.) 

The  remaining  vessels  from  the  mound  at  Murphy  Island  offered  no  feature 
worthy  of  remark. 

But  two  tobacco  pipes  of  earthenware  were  recovered  from  the  mound.  One. 
of  the  usual  type  found  on  the  lower  river,  was  in  fragments,  with  several  con 
siderable  portions  missing ;  the  other  (length,  3.5  inches;  orifice  of  bowl,  1.6  inches 
by  1.2  inches;  orifice  of  stem,  .7  of  an  inch  by  1  inch)  is  of  especial  interest,  having 
a  rude  projecting  animal  head  below  the  distal  margin  of  the  bowl  as  shown  in 
Fig.  55. 

A  curious  pendant  of  earthenware,  rude  and  of  poor  material,  came  from  11 
feet  from  the  surface.  Length,  1.8  inches;  maximum  diameter.  .7  of  one  inch 
(Fig.  56). 

An  earthenware  pendant  or  bead,  with  transverse  perforation,  found  loose  in 
the  sand,  is  shown  in  Fig.  57.  Length,  1.5  inches;  diameter.  .6  of  one  inch. 

<)/>.  >•!(.,  Tart  II,  Plate  XXVIII,  Fitf.  1. 


TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON   Ml'RI'HY   ISLAND.   KL<  )1;IDA. 


Near  human   remains,    was  a  ring  of  earthen 
ware,  1.6  inches  in   diameter.  .7  of  one  inch  across 


FKI.  ")(>.    Pendant  of  earthenware.    Northernmost 
mound,  Murphy  Inland.     (Full  si/e.) 

the  opening,  and  .-'1  of  one  inch  in  thieknes,- 
t'onnd  7  Feet  From  the  surl'ace  (Fisr.  OS). 


It  wa> 


The  reader  oF  our  report  on  the  mounds  oF  the 
St.  .Johns  mav  recall  that  between  .Jacksonville  and 
Lake  Washington — the  end  of  navigation — aboriginal 
copper  was  met  with  in  hut  Four  mounds.  It  was. 
therefore,  especially  gratifying  to  find  a  variety  oF 
objects  of  this  metal  in  the  principal  mound  on 
Murphy  Island. 

Well    in    toward    the    center,    in    the   northern 


FKI.  57.  Pendant  of  earthen 
ware.  Northernmost  mound. 
Murphy  Island.  (Full  si/e.) 


Fi(i.  08.  Ring  of  earthen 
ware.  Northernmost  mound. 
Murphy  Island.  (Full  si/e. 

portion  of  the  mound,  at  no  great  distance  apart. 
but  each  with  a  separate  interment.  12  Feet  from  tin- 
surface.  were:  (1)  Fragmentary  remains  of  an  orna 
ment  of  wood  overlaid  with  very  thin  sheet  copper. 
One  side  is  Hat.  the  other  repousse.  The  breadth  is 
about  2.2  inche«  ;  its  original  length  is  undetermin 
able.  With  it  was  a  large  sheet  of  mica.  (2)  An 

..     -  ,  Fid.  .">!!.   Or 

ornament  ol  sheet  copper,  bent  over  and  repousse  as     xorthernm<* 
shown    in    Fig.  5!).      A   part  of  one   side  is  missing    land.    .  Full 


nament  <>!' 

t  mound 


sheet  copper. 
Murphy  Is- 


|''KI.  (JO.     Crescent  of  copper.    Northernmost  mound,  Murphy  Island.    (Kull  si/.e.) 


T\V()  SAND  MOTXDS  OX  Ml'IJI'IIY   ISLAXD,   FLORIDA. 


through  corrosion.  At  one  end  of  tlu>  broken  side  arc  two  perforations.  Length, 
about  7  inches;  width,  about'  '2  inches.  (•!)  An  ornament  of  thin  sheet  copper 
apparently  at  one  time  coating  a  tube  of  some  long-fibered  substance  like  cane.  It 
was  recovered  in  several  fragments,  but  probably  when  entire  had  a  length  of 
about  <S  inches,  with  a  slightly  irregular  diameter  averaging  1.5  inches.  (4)  A  fine 
specimen  of  sheet  copper,  entirely  unbroken,  and  not  materially  aflectcd  by  cor 
rosion,  representing  the  crescent  moon.  Distance  between  horns.  10.:!  inches; 
maximum  width.  1.7  inches;  thickness,  .04  of  one  inch.  About  one-half  inch  from 
the  central  part  of  the  convex  margin  of  the  body,  1.7  inches  apart,  are  two  per 
forations  by  the  aid  of  which  this  ornament,  in  early  times  doubtless  highly  polished, 
could  be  fastened  to  the  chest  or  suspended  from  the  neck,  the  horns  pointing 
down  (Fig.  (111). 

Toward  the  center,  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  mound.  12  feet  from  the  sur 
face,  with  human  remains,  together,  associated  with  a  pendant  of  shell,  were  :  (1) 
apparently  a  number  of  separate  discs,  each  about  1.8  inches  in  diameter,  of  sheet 
copper  firmly  cemented  together  through  corrosion  and  too  great  h"  carbonated  to 
permit  any  successful  attempt  at  separation.  (2)  A  disc  of  sheet  copper,  centrally 
concavo  convex,  about  2  inches 
in  diameter.  (;\)  A  much  cor 
roded  object  of  sheet  copper,  ap 
parently  of  the  sort  known  as 
spool-shaped,  supposed  bv  some 
to  have  served  as  an  ear-plug, 
by  others,  as  a  button  or  stud 
for  garments.  Similar  objects 
have  frequently  been  figured  as 
coining  from  Ohio  mounds  and 
elsewhere.  Diameter  of  upper 
and  lower  portions,  about  1.8  inches.  (4)  An  ornament  of  sheet  copper  con 
sisting  of  a  disc  centrally  perforated  and  symmetrically  bent  and  repousse,  as 
shown  in  Fig.  (>1  with  section.  Maximum  diameter  about  2  1  inches. 

Loose  in  caved  sand  was  a  small  disc   1   inch   in  diameter.      Within  its  slight 
concavity  lav  remains  of  wood. 


.    Ornament  01  u 
mound,  Murphy  Inland. 


Twenty-two  specimens  of  shell  drinking  cups  wrought  from  /-'ii/giir  pcr- 
versum  by  the  removal  of  the  columella  and  a  part  of  the  body  whorl,  were  taken 
from  the  mound.  Some  were  intact;  others  showed  an  intentional  perforation  of 
the  bottom.  So  far  as  we  could  determine,  these  drinking  cups,  though  coining 
from  different  points,  were  all  from  within  a  few  feet  of  the  surlace. 

The  quantities  of  small  beads  so  often  found  with  interments  were  not  met 
with  in  this  mound.  At  two  points,  beads  from  .">  of  one  inch  to  one  inch  in 


70  TWO  SAND    MOUNDS   ON    MURPHY  ISLAND.    FLORIDA. 

diameter — thirty  in  all  -were  encountered  with  human  remains,  while  perhaps 
one  do/en  others  were  gathered  from  various  portions  of  the  mound. 

Two  feet  from  the  surface,  with  human  remains,  were  two  shell  discs  with 
diameter  of  about  3  inches  and  2.5  inches  respectively,  probably  cut  from  the  body 
wliorl  of  Fulgur.  The  smaller  had  near  the  margin  a  double  perforation  for  sus 
pension.  In  neither  was  any  decoration  apparent. 

A  somewhat  smaller  disc  was  found  loose  in  the  sand. 

Two  shell  pins,  the  larger  5  inches  in  length,  lay  together,  near  human 
remains.  2.o  feet  from  the  surface.  Two  others,  somewhat  smaller.  :ilso  with 
skeletal  remains,  were  about  2  feet  down.  A  fifth  pin  was  recovered  loose  in  the 

sand.  These  pins  were  all  of  types  previously  figured 
by  Mr.  Holmes  in  his  exhaustive  "Art  in  Shell.'  by 
others,  and  by  ourselves  in  our  account  of  the  mound 
at  East  Palatka.  Putnam  County. 

An  interesting  ornament,  as  shown   in    Fig.  02, 
is  a  pendant  probably  cut  from   the  lip  of  the  great 
marine  Strombus.      Its  length   is  a   little  less  than  2 
inches;  its  breadth,  about  1.3   inches.      It  had  evi 
dently  formed  a  central  ornament  in  a  string  of  little 
shells  (Olivella]  longitudinally  perforated,  as  one  of 
Fi(i.(>2.    Pendant  of shfll.    North-    these  still  lay  in  its  perforation, 
eriiniost.     mound,     Murphy     Island.  \\T~  tr\  l  f  1  i  e     r     t.      J 

(Full  si/  With    a   layer  ol   human   bones,    h   teet   down. 

were  four  chisels  of  shell,   probably  cut  from  the  lip 

of  Strombus,  approximately  from  2  inches  to  4  inches  in  length.  With  them  were 
two  stone  "celts"  and  a  columellaof  some  large  marine  univalve.  These  columellae. 
as  we  have  pointed  out  elsewhere,  were  probably  removed  from  the  shell  for  ship 
ment,  to  be  manufactured  into  beads  and  ornaments. 

Several  other  chisels  of  shell  were  found  variously  associated. 


During  the  demolition  of  the  mound,  sixty-six  hatchets,  or  "celts,"  of  smooth 
or  polished  stone,  from  about  2  inches  to  12  inches  in  length,  were  taken  from  the 
mound.  These  hatchets — mainly  of  igneous  rock — presenting  no  points  of  differ 
ence  from  other  mound  specimens,  were  not  separately  determined  us  to  material. 

A  cutting  implement  of  chipped  chert,  about  3  inches  by  0  inches,  ilat  on  one 
side,  lay  3  feet  from  the  surface  with  human  remains  and  several  pebbles. 

A  pitted  hammerstone,  about  2.0  inches  by  4  inches,  was  apparently  un- 
associated. 

Mica  was  found  in  but  three  places. 

Twenty-six  arrow  and  lance  points  of  chert  and  of  chert  breccia  were  found 
separately,  at  various  depths  and  a  number  of  others  associated  with  various  objects. 
None  presented  anything  unusual  as  to  type. 


TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON  MURPHY   ISLAND,   FLORIDA.  71 

Ten  feet  down,  in  a  pocket  of  red  Hematite,  near  human  remains,  together, 
were:  twelve  arrow  and  lance  points;  a  sharpening  stone  of  clavstone.  almost 
rectangular,  about  6.3  inches  by  8  inches,  with  an  average  thickness  of  about  .8  of 
one  inch;  one  "celt:'  a  heart-shaped  bit  of  rock,  apparently  elavstone.  3.8  inches 
by  about  2.5  inches,  used  for  sharpening  pointed  tools,  grinding  beads,  or  both,  as 
shown  by  grooves  on  either  side  across  its  widest  part ;  a  small  hit  of  sandstone  ; 
one  Hake  of  chert,  and  twenty-two  chips  of  the  same  material.  We  have  frequently 
remarked  the  inhumation  of  great  numbers  of  fragments,  chips,  and  flakes,  of  chert, 
especially  in  the  smaller  river  mounds  between  Jacksonville  and  the  sea,  while 
from  Mt.  Royal,  near  Lake  George.  Putnam  County,  we  took  051  associated  masses 
of  chert  averaging  about  the  si/e  of  a  hen's  egg.  Lieutenant-General  Pitt  Rivers, 
in  his  monumental  work.1  speaks  of  great  numbers  of  Hakes,  chips,  and  cores,  of 
Hint  (which  is  almost  the  same  as  our  chert)  found  by  him  in  the  barrows. 

Four  quart/  pebbles:  one  core  of  chert  :  three  fragments  of  fossil  bone,  shaped 
to  a  certain  extent,  the  largest  rectangular,  about  1.0  inches  by  2.5  inches,  with  an 
average  thickness  of  .5  of  one  inch,  were  found  in  association.  Fossil  l;<,m  s  are 
not  infrequently  met  with  in  Florida  in  the  clay  and  in  the  bottom  of  streams. 

Two  and  one-half  feet  from  the  surface,  in  immediate  association,  were  :  a 
pebble  hammer  of  quart/.  5  inches  long;  fifteen  smaller  pebbles  and  pebble  ham 
mers;  three  small  bits  of  sandstone ;  one  fragment  of  an  apparently  clayey  sub 
stance  ;  four  arrow  heads  of  chert ;  a  small  natural  formation,  tubular  in  shape; 
ten  bits  of  fossil  bone,  some  worked  to  a  certain  extent;  one  unidentified  object  of 
the  same  material,  about  3  inches  long,  1.5  inches  high,  with  an  average  thickness 
of  1.6  inches;  a  portion  of  a  tooth  of  a  fossil  shark  ;  an  astragalus  of  a.  fossil  llama.2 
and  a  small  fragment  of  striated  rock. 

Three  feet  from  the  surface  was  another  curious  medley  consisting  of:  one  bit 
of  fossil  bone;  two  rude  arrow  heads  of  chert ;  one  pebble  hammer;  four  small 
pebbles;  one  chip  of  chert  :  four  bits  of  sandstone;  two  pieces  of  eoquina.  and  one 
small  fragment  of  Steatite. 

All  together.  4  feet  down,  were:  sixteen  bits  of  fossil  bone  from  .5  of  one  inch 
to  3  inches  in  length,  some  by  their  even  edges  showing  a  certain  amount  of  work  ; 
ten  pebble  hammers;  thirty  small  pebbles,  one  pebble  partially  ground  for  suspen 
sion,  an  incipient  pendant;  seven  fragments  of  sandstone  and  of  other  rocks;  two 
chert  arrow  heads;  one  tubular  bead  of  soapstone.  about  .75  of  one  inch  in  length. 

In  addition  to  these  curious  deposits  there  lay  separately  throughout  the 
mound,  pebble  hammers,  sharpening  stones,  and  certain  natural  formations  in  the 
form  of  tubes,  largely  used  by  the  aborigines,  similar  to  one  figured  by  us  in  Part  I 
of  our  Report  on  the  St.  Johns  mounds  as  coming  from  Mt.  Royal,  and  found  in 
such  numbers  in  the  Shields  Mound,  Duval  County. 

1  KxcavatioiiH  iu  Cranborne  ('base,  near  Ruwhmore.  Printed  privately.  Three  volume*,  1887-1892. 
Kngland. 

z  Identified  by  Professor  Cope.  Three  spec-lew  of  fossil  llama  from  Florida  have  been  described  by 
Leidy. 


72 


TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON  MURPHY  ISLAND,  FLORIDA. 


Loose  in  the  sand  was  a  cnboidal  mass  of  carbonate  of  lime,  with  rounded 
corners,  about  the  size  of  an  English  walnut,  while  apparently  unassociated  was  a 
mass  of  undetermined  rock  about  the  same  size,  spheroidal,  with  depressed  poles. 
A  flat  pebble  of  clayey  material,  about  2  inches  by  4  inches,  with  a  maximum 
thickness  of  .8  of  one  inch,  has  four  perforations  apparently  of  natural  formation 
around  twigs.  These  perforations,  doubtless,  the  aborigines  had  been  quick  to 
utilize. 

Two  small   pendants,  one   of  crystalline   granular   rock,   possibly  of    igneous 
origin,  the  smaller  of  Agalmatolitc,  lay  with   human   remains,  8  feet  from  the  sur 
face,  with  a  small  shell  chisel.     Their  shape   is  triangular  and  each  has  a  counter 
sunk   perforation   for   suspension.      In   addition,  the 
larger,  1.1  inches  in  length  with  a  maximum  width 
of  .(i  of  one  inch    and  a  thickness  of  .2  of  one  inch, 
lias  a  curved  groove  extending  across  one  side  (Figs. 
I').'!  and  C>4). 

Nine  feet  down,  with  human  remains,  was  a 
handsome  pendant  of  a  crystalline  rock  in  which  the 
silica  projects  while  the  felspathie  material  is  much 
decomposed — possibly  a  (rrannlvte.  It  isl  aterallv 
and  longitudinally  perforated  Two  shoulders  with 
median  grooves  encircle  it.  A  small  portion  is  broken 

from  one  side.  Length,  3.4  inches;  minimum  diameter  of  shaft,  .(i  of  one  inch; 
maximum  diameter  of  shaft,  .8  of  one  inch  ;  diameter  of  smaller  shoulder.  I  inch  : 
of  larger.  1.1  indies  (Fig.  fio). 

A  graceful  pendant  of  a  crystalline  granular  rock,  probably  syenitic.  carne 
from  a  depth  of  5  feet  with  a  "celt.1'  Human  remains  were  in  association.  At 


Fiii.s.  (i.i  and  64.  Pendent  orna 
ments.  Northernmost  mound,  Mur 
phy  Island.  (Full  si/e.l 


KIG.  lio.     (iorget  of  stone.     Northernmost  mound,  Murphy 
Island,     i  Full  sue.) 

either  end  is  a  rim.  while  from  one  end  is  a  small  projection  as  shown  in  Fig.  60. 
Length  2.0  inches;  diameter  of  body,  !.->  inches;  diameter  of  larger  rim,  I  inch; 
of  smaller  rim.  .7  of  one  inch. 

A  fusiform  pendant,  probably  of  steatitic  material,  grooved  at  one  end  for  sus 
pension,  strongly  resembles  in  shape  pendants  of  shell  found  by  us  in  the  mound 
on  Tick  Island  and  figured  in  Part  II  of  our  report.  Length,  3.7  inches;  maxi 
mum  diameter,  1  inch  (Fig.  07). 


TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON  MURPHY  ISLAND,  FLORIDA.  73 

A  curiously  shaped  pendant  of  steatitic  rock,  having  a  length  of  .9  of  one  inch 
and  a  maximum  diameter  of  1.2  inches,  lay  with  a  burial  6  feet  from  the  surface 
(Fig.  68). 

Two  pendants  of  quartz  were  found  separately  in  the  mound.  One.  a  rough 
fragment  about  1  inch  in  length,  is  rudelv  grooved  at  one  end.  The  other,  a 
crystal,  1.9  inches  in  length  with  a  maximum  diameter  of  .5  of  one  inch,  is  neatly 
grooved  and  shows  considerable  wear  (Fig.  G9). 


Fl(i.  «8.  Pendant  of 
steatitic  rock.  North 
ernmost  mound,  Mur 
phy  Island.  (Full  Hi/.e.) 


Fiu.  66.  Pendant  of  syeuitic  rock. 
Northernmost  mound,  Murphy 
Island.  (Full  size.) 


Flo.  67.  Pendant  of  steatitic  ma 
terial.  Northernmost  mound, 
Murphy  Island.  (  Full  sixe.) 


Flo.  69.  Pendant  of  quartz 
crystal.  Northernmost 
mound,  Murphy  Island. 
( Full  si/,e. ) 


We  have,  in  a  former  report,  quoted  Laudonniere  s  statement  as  to  presents  of 
fine  crystal,  made  by  southern  Indians. 

At  various  depths,  though  at  no  great  distance  from  the  surface,  singly,  were 
seven  beads  of  soapstone,  some  cylindrical,  others  oblong,  varying  in  length 
between  1.1  inches  and  2.2  inches. 


INTRUSIVE    DEPOSITS. 

Two  and  one-half  feet  from  the  surface,  with  a  burial  and  a  chisel  of  stone, 
was  a  comb  apparently  made  of  leather,  with  scroll  decoration  on  either  side. 

With  a  burial  three  feet  down,  were  an  iron  or  steel  axe  with  long  narrow 
blade,  and  an  unidentified  tool  of  the  same  material.  With  these  implements,  of 

10  JOURN.  A.   X.  S.  PHILA..  VOL.  X. 


74  TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON  MURPHY  ISLAND,  FLORIDA. 

necessity  obtained  from  the  Whites,  were  a  number  of  long  blue  cylindrical  beads  of 
glass  and  spherical  polychrome  beads  of  the  same  material. 

Together,  accompanying  a  burial,  1.5  feet  from  the  surface,  were  a  long  knife, 
two  chisels,  a  triangular  chisel  or  tomahawk,  and  an  unidentified  tool,  all  of  iron 
or  of  steel. 

An  implement  resembling  a  modern  grubbing  hoe,  and  a  narrow  bladed  axe, 
both  of  steel  or  of  iron,  lay  together  with  fragmentary  human  remains  about  2  feet 
from  the  surface.  Near  by  was  a  hatchet  of  polished  stone.  It  is  not  unlikely 
that  these  implements  of  metal  were  placed  in  the  neighborhood  of  a  pre-existing 
deposit  of  stone,  nor  is  it  unlikely  that  all  belonged  to  the  same  period,  since  imple 
ments  derived  from  White  contact  did  not  at  once  supplant  all  products  of 
aboriginal  art. 

AN    OBJECT   OF    UNDETERMINED    DERIVATION. 

Twelve  feet  from   the  surface,  toward   the   central  portion  of  the  mound,  in 
association   with   human  remains,  was  taken  out,  in  our  immediate  presence,  an 
object  resembling  the  lower  portion  of  a  small  nail  (Fig. 
70).     Its  length  is  .8  of  one  inch.     It  is  affected  by  the 
magnet,  and  is  therefore  iron  or  steel  or  iron  ore. 

It  may  be  well  to  explain  to  the  general  reader  that 
the  aborigines  were  unable  to  reduce  iron  from  its  ores 
and  that  this  metal  in  a  native  state,  if  it  exists  at  all 
on  this  earth,  is  of  extreme  rarity,  and  that  the  only  iron 
FIG.  TO.    Unidentified  ob.     [n  aboriginal  use  in  pre-Columbian  times   was  that  ob 
ject.    Northernmost    mound,      ,-i<>  •,  i  i_j.ii-i 
Murphy  inland.    (Full  size.)     tamed  from  meteorites,  as  is  shown  by  the  high  percent 
age  of  nickel  present  when  analytically  tested.     There 

is  no  reason  why  the  aborigines  of  Florida  should  not  have  been  possessed  of  some 
small  piercing  implements  of  meteoric  iron.  Unfortunately,  the  original  material 
of  this  specimen  cannot  be  determined  by  analysis,  as  it  weighs  but  215  milligrams 
and  is  corroded  through  and  through. 

It  seems  unlikely  that  aborigines  in  a  way  to  obtain  iron  and  other  products 
of  White  contact  such  as  lead,  pewter,  brass,  bronze,  glass,  china,  glazed  earthen 
ware,  etc.,  should  have  scrupulously  kept  them  from  the  body  of  the  mound  wherein 
lay  the  great  majority  of  the  burials  and  then  place  upon  the  base  a  portion  of  a 
single  nail. 

It  may  be  well,  moreover,  to  state  in  this  connection  that  not  one  spadeful  of 
sand  was  thrown  back  from  this  mound  save  in  our  presence,  and  that,  in  addition, 
three  persons  trained  to  careful  mound  work  for  years,  were  present  at  all  times  to 
aid  us.  Furthermore,  after  the  discovery  of  superficial  iron,  if  possible,  greater 
vigilance  than  ordinary  was  exercised  by  all,  no  part  of  the  mound  being  left  with 
out  constant  inspection.  In  addition,  the  work  at  this  mound  was  done  at  the 
close  of  the  season  by  picked  men  mostly  for  many  months  in  our  employ.  It  is, 
therefore,  unlikely  that  any  deposit  in  the  mound  escaped  us. 


TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON  MURPHY  ISLAND,  FLORIDA.  75 

REMARKS. 

The  contents  of  the  northernmost  mound  on  Murphy  Island  are  of  consider 
ably  above  the  average  interest.  The  numerous  fragments  of  fossil  bone  are  new 
to  us,  while  the  collections  of  pebble  hammers,  chips  of  stone,  and  the  like,  buried 
together,  have  not  been  met  with  before  above  Jacksonville,  though  in  low  mounds 
between  that  point  and  the  sea,  they  are  common  enough.  The  period  when  the 
mound  was  built  depends  upon  the  nature  of  the  small  piece  of  iron  discovered  at 
the  base,  and  of  this  we  have  already  spoken 

SOUTHERNMOST  MOUND,  MURPHY  ISLAND. 

About  two  hundred  yards  in  a  southerly  direction  from  the  mound  we  have 
just  described  is  another  in  full  view  of  the  river,  did  not  a  thick  growth  of  sour 
orange  trees  intervene.  The  height  of  the  mound  is  10  feet;  its  diameter  of  base 
70  feet.  A  number  of  large  forest  trees  grew  upon  it.  Irregular  ridges,  evidently 
artificial,  not  directly  connected  with  the  mound,  ran  in  an  easterly  direction 
from  it. 

Owing  to  the  presence  of  many  orange  trees  around  a  portion  of  the  margin, 
the  entire  mound  was  not  demolished. 

A  trench  103  feet  wide  at  the  beginning,  including  the  south,  southeast  and 
southwest  parts  of  the  circumference,  was  carried  in  until  over  one-half  the  mound 
had  been  removed. 

The  mound  proved  structurally  of  great  interest.  From  the  start,  with  its 
base  at  about  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory,  was  a  black  layer  of  midden 
refuse  surmounted  by  a  stratum  of  sand  artificially  colored  by  the  use  of  the  red 
oxide  of  iron,  sometimes  pink,  and  again  a  bright  cherry.  Above  this  was  mottled 
sand  containing  various  local  streaks  and  layers.  As  the  work  progressed  a  second 
layer  of  midden  refuse  was  observed. 

At  the  center  of  the  mound,  the  strata,  though  somewhat  irregular  in  thick 
ness,  were  about  as  follows  : 

Superficial  4  feet. — Mottled  sand,  pink,  white,  and  gray  at  places. 
1.5  feet. — Black  loam,  solidly  packed,  containing  midden  refuse,  sherds,  bones  of 
lower  animals,  charcoal,  and  very  occasional  shells. 

6  inches. — Cherry  colored  sand  with  pockets,  extending  into  the  layer  below. 
2,  feet  10  inches. — Mottled  sand. 

1.5  feet. — Black  loam — midden  refuse. 

7  inches — Sand  brownish  in  color,  resembling  a  stain. 

Beneath  this  was  pure  white  sand  showing  occasional  signs  of  mottling  and 
containing  scattered  particles  of  charcoal  and  at  least  one  worked  fragment  of 
chert.  There  was  no  definite  base  line,  and  how  much  of  this  white  sand  may 
have  been  filled  into  a  previous  excavation  there  was  no  method  to  determine. 


76  TWO  SAND  MOUNDS  ON  MURPHY  ISLAND,  FLORIDA. 

During  the  entire  investigation  but  seven  burials  were  encountered,  all  of  the 
bunched  variety  and  none  deeper  than  5  feet  from  the  surface.  In  association 
were  several  small  bits  of  pottery,  a  chipping  of  chert,  and.  together,  two  pins  of 
bone. 

Occasional  sherds  were  in  the  midden  refuse,  and  two  small  imperforate  bowls 
were  found  separately  in  the  same  material.  A  few  arrow  heads  lay  loose  in  the 
sand  and  in  the  loam. 

This  curious  mound,  evidently  a  place  of  abode  during  two  extended  periods, 
had  been  subsequently  used  to  a  small  extent  in  the  upper  portion,  for  sepulchral 
purposes. 

In  default  of  total  demolition  we  do  not  feel  justified  in  drawing  conclusions 
as  to  this  mound. 


Certain   Sand  Mounds  of  the 
Ocklawaha  River,  Florida. 

BY  CLARENCE  B.   MOORE. 


PU  T  N  A 


Silver  Sfys  o 


M     A     R 


S  U  M  T  E  R 


MAP  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  i?IVER 


X  Jnjic«(«s  5and   Mound 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA.1 


BY  CLARENCE  B.  MOORE. 


The  Ocklawaha  river,  whose  narrow,  winding  and  rapid  current  enters  the  St. 
Johns  from  the  western  side  of  that  river,  about  twenty-five  miles  above  Palatka, 
has  its  source  in  Lake  Apopka  (see  map)  though  the  head  of  navigation  is  at  the 
channel  between  Lakes  Eustis  and  Dora.2  From  Lake  Apopka,  running  in  a  north 
erly  direction,  it  traverses  Lake  Dora,  Lake  Eustis  and  Lake  Griffin  and  continuing 
first  through  marsh  and  then  through  swamp  land  and  joining  Orange  Creek,  an 
unnavigable  stream,  it  turns  abruptly  to  the  east,  pursuing  this  course  until  its 
union  with  the  St.  Johns. 

Passing  through  a  portion  of  Lake  County,  traversing  the  county  of  Marion 
and  skirting  on  the  south  about  one-half  of  Putnam  Count}-,  the  Ocklawaha,  irres 
pective  of  curves,  has  a  length  of  about  seventy-five  miles.  So  tortuous,  however, 
is  the  stream  that  these  figures  convey  not  the  faintest  idea  of  the  distance  to  be 
travelled  by  water  in  a  journey  from  the  outlet  of  the  river  to  its  source.8 

In  comparison  with  the  St.  Johns,  the  Ocklawaha  had  little  to  offer  the  abori 
gines  as  a  place  of  abode.  From  the  mouth  to  the  union  with  the  stream  from 
Silver  Springs  (where  the  acquaintance  of  the  tourist  with  the  river  usually  comes 
to  an  end)  the  Ocklawaha  runs  between  cypress  swamps  with  very  occasional  bits 
of  solid  land;  while  above,  the  course  of  the  stream  is  through  saw-grass  marshes 
offering  an  equal  paucity  of  landing  places. 

It  is  therefore  evident  that  the  archaeologist  exploring  this  stream,  fully  cog 
nizant  of  the  fact  that  the  aborigines  were  no  mean  judges  of  living  sites,  must  set 
out  with  a  less  sanguine  spirit  than  would  be  justified  on  the  St.  Johns,  especially 
as  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  lower  Ocklawaha  ,  obstructed  at  every  turn  as  it  must 
have  been  by  huge  trunks  of  fallen  cypresses,  offered  in  early  times  a  channel  of 
communication.  In  point  of  fact,  the  paucity  of  shell-heaps  and  their  restricted 

1  The  inouud  on  Hear  Island  and  that  at  Davenport,  within  a  few  miles  of  the  mouth  of  the  Ockla 
waha  river,  have  teen  described  in  Part  II  of  our  "  Certain  Sand  Mounds  of  the  St.  Johns  Uiver,  Florida." 
Jour.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  Phila.,  Vol.  X. 

2  The  channel  between  Lakes  Eustis  and  Dora  has,  at  places,  scarcely  two  feet  of  water.     In  addition, 
two  immovable  bridges  bar  the  way. 

3  A  table  of  distances  used  on  the  line  of  steamers  plying  on  the  river,  gives  as  101  miles  the  distance 
by  water  between  the  point  of  union  with  the  St.  Johns  and  the  entrance  into  Silver  Springs  Hun,  some 
what  less  than  one  half  the  length.of  the  Ocklawaha,  and  this,  be  it  remembered,   is  a  less  tortuous  por 
tion  of  the  stream  than  that  farther  south.    Between  Alligator  Lauding  and  Moss  Bluff  on  the  upper 
river,  the  distance  by  laud  is  given  as  three  miles  by  those  in  a  position  to  know,  and  as  five  times  that 
number  when  the  journey  is  made  by  water. 

11  JOURN.  A.  N.  S.  PIIILA.,  VOL.  X. 


82     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,    FLORIDA. 

size,  insignificant  if  compared  with  the  great  shell  deposits  of  the  St.  Johns,  testify 
to  a  scanty  population. 

From  the  mouth  to  the  end  of  navigation,  the  territory  bordering  the  Ockla- 
waha  was  found  to  contain  no  mound  over  eight  feet  in  height 1  and  very  few 
approaching  even  that  altitude.  It  has  been,  therefore,  in  the  power  of  the  ignor 
ant  treasure  seeker,  or  of  the  "  relic  hunter,"  even  with  his  limited  time  and  means, 
seriously  to  impair  the  archaeological  value  of  many  of  these  mounds  by  the  removal 
of  central  portions — an  impossibility  in  the  case  of  the  greater  earthworks  of  the 
St.  Johns. 

As  the  reader  will  see,  the  mounds  of  the  river  proper  were  virtually  barren, 
while  no  rich  harvest  was  yielded  by  those  of  the  lake  country  beyond. 

Tiiis  investigation  was  conducted  with  steam  motive  power  and  an  abundant 
force  of  men  during  portions  of  January  and  March  and  all  of  February,  1895. 

We  append  a  list  of  mounds  investigated  on  the  Ocklawaha  River,  to  be  follow 
ed  by  a  detailed  account  of  those  offering  any  interest  either  structurally  or  as  to 
human  remains  or  relics  of  aboriginal  art. 

Ditch  Creek  (2).  Near  Umatilla. 

Indian  Bluff.  Near  Fort  Mason. 

Palmetto  Landing  (7).  Lake  Griffin  (3). 

Delk's  Landing.  Lake  Eustis. 

Silver  Springs.  Near  Tavares. 

Electra  Landing.  Bcirclay's. 

Lake  Weir  Landing.  Near  Yallaha. 

Moss  Bluff  (3).  Richmond  Mound. 

Stark's  Landing  (2).  Near  Helena. 

Hopson  Mound.  Okahumpka. 
Near  Higley. 

MOUNDS  NEAR  DITCH  CREEK,  PUTNAM  COUNTY. 

Ditch  Creek  enters  the  Ocklawaha  from  the  left  going  down,  about  eighteen 
miles  by  water  from  the  river's  mouth.  About  one  mile  up  the  creek  is  a  landing 
and  from  this  landing,  about  four  hundred  yards  W.  N.  W.,  was  a  mound  1.5  feet 
in  height  and  45  feet  in  diameter  of  base.  It  had  apparently  lost  somewhat  in 
height  by  the  trampling  of  cattle. 

It  was  totally  demolished. 

It  consisted  of  gray,  loamy  sand  with  the  usual  admixture  of  charcoal.  At 
one  point  were  two  bits  of  human  femur;  at  another,  charred  fragments  of  human 
bones.  Numerous  chips,  flakes,  and  two  cores,  of  chert  were  found  and  one  bit  of 
plain  undecorated  earthenware. 

1  The  mounds  of  Lake  Harris,  though  not  properly  belonging  to  the  Ocklawaha  River,  are  included 
in  this  paper.  The  territory  bordering  this  lake  had  one  mound  of  an  altitude  greater  than  the  limit 
given  above. 


CERTAIN    SAND   MOUNDS   OF   THE   OCKLAWAHA    RIVER,  FLORIDA.      83 

About  one  mile  north  of  the  landing  at  Ditch  Creek  was  a  mound  4  feet  9 
inches  in  height  and  GO  feet  through  the  base.  It  was  much  spread  out,  probably 
by  trampling  of  cattle  and  bore  marks  of  previous  superficial  investigation. 

It  was  completely  dug  through  with  the  kind  permission  of  J.  J.  Cummings, 
Esq.,  of  Beaufort,  8.  C. 

Bunched  burials  were  comparatively  numerous,  and  all  or  nearly  all  within  1 
or  2  feet  of  the  surface,  though,  of  course,  at  greater  depth  when  the  height  of  the 
mound  was  unimpaired.  With  one  burial  were  charred  turtle  bones,  while  with 
several  were  associated  calcined  fragments  of  human  remains. 

About  2  feet  down,  not  far  from  the  center  of  the  mound,  was  a  considerable 
mass  of  calcined  fragments  of  human  bones  mixed  with,  those  of  lower  animals  in 
similar  condition.  These  apparently  were  in  proximity  to  no  interment. 

Throughout  the  mound  were  sherds  of  fairly  good  quality  for  Florida,  some 
decorated  with  red  pigment,  others  with  incised  lines,  etc. 

With  the  exception  of  the  sherds  and  of  a  rude  and  somewhat  fragmentary 
cutting  implement  chipped  from  chert,  no  relics  were  met  with. 

MOUNDS  NEAR  PALMETTO  LANDING,  MARION  COUNTY. 

Palmetto  Landing  on  the  Ocklawaha  river  is  said  to  be  about  seventy-seven 
miles  by  water  from  the  river's  mouth.  About  one  mile  in  an  easterly  direction 
from  the  landing  were  five  mounds  at  no  great  distance  apart,  while  about  one  half 
mile  and  one  mile  respectively  farther  in  the  same  direction  were  two  others. 

Nearest  the  landing  were  two  symmetrical  mounds  with  base  margins  almost 
in  contact  at  one  point,  The  northernmost  had  a  height  of  about  5  feet  with  a 
base  diameter  of  about  52  feet ;  the  southernmost,  a  height  of  6  feet  3  inches  and 
a  diameter  of  base  of  57  feet. 

These  mounds  were  completely  demolished. 

They  consisted  of  coarse  yellow  sand,  unstratified  and  almost,  if  not  entirely, 
devoid  of  the  usual  intermingled  charcoal. 

No  human  remains  nor  indications  of  burial  nor,  with  one  exception,  sherds  of 
any  description  were  encountered. 

A  number  of  cores  and  chippings.  of  chert  with  two  rude  chipped  cutting  im 
plements  of  the  same  material,  lay  loose  in  the  sand.  No  other  relics  of  any  sort 
were  found. 

Fifty-five  paces  in  an  easterly  direction  from  the  northernmost  of  the  twin 
mounds  was  another,  with  a  height  of  4  feet  4  inches  and  48  feet  across  the  base. 
The  entire  central  portion  of  this  mound  was  dug  out  with  no  return. 

Eighty-five  paces  northeast  of  the  preceding  mound  was  another,  4  feet  3  inches 
high  with  a  diameter  of  base  of  55  feet.  Absolutely  nothing  was  obtained  from 
this  mound. 

About  20  paces  farther  was  a  fifth  mound  3.5  feet  high.  The  base  had  a  dia 
meter  of  53  feet.  Again  careful  investigation  was  absolutely  unrewarded. 


84     CERTAIN  SAND   MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA. 

On  the  property  of  Mr.  R.  D.  MacDonald,  about  one  half  mile  farther  to  the 
east,  was  an  unsymmetrical  mound  of  yellow  sand.  7.5  feet  high  and  71  feet  through 
the  base.  This  mound  was  not  demolished.  A  certain  amount  of  investigation  yield 
ed  nothing. 

Still  farther  on,  about  one  half  mile  in  the  same  direction,  was  a  beautiful 
little  mound  4  feet  in  height  with  a  diameter  of  base  of  68  feet.  It  was  built  on 
the  edge  of  a  small  lake  which  bordered  a  portion  of  its  margin,  while  the  remain 
der  was  surrounded  by  a  trench  about  24  feet  wide  and  1  foot  in  depth,  which,  in 
the  wet  season  makes  an  island  of  the  mound. 

It  was  totally  demolished,  the  task  being  a  very  difficult  one  owing  to  the 
presence  of  great  quantities  of  scrub  palmetto  roots. 

The  mound  was  unstratified.  Its  material  was  coarse  white  sand.  The  usual 
charcoal  was  not  noticed.  A  few  sherds,  undecorated  save  one  which  showed 
marks  of  red  pigment,  were  scattered  through  the  sand  as  were  a  few  flakes  of  chert 
and  a  fragmentary  lance  head. 

Almost  centrally  situated  in  the  mound,  at  three  separate  points,  each  about 
18  inches  from  the  surface,  were  fragmentary  human  remains,  while  a  small  exca 
vation  made  by  a  previous  visitor  showed  fragments  of  human  bones  in  the  sand. 

This  mound  illustrates  the  amount  of  work  at  times  undertaken  by  the  abori 
gines  to  make  a  limited  number  of  interments. 

We  can  form  no  conclusion  as  to  the  five  mounds  nearest  the  landing.  They 
may  have  been  erected  for  domiciliary  purposes,  but  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that  no 
village  site  refuse  was  found  upon  them.  But,  for  that  matter,  we  have  never  in 
Florida  found  any  marks  of  habitation  upon  any  mound  which,  through  absence  of 
human  remains  and  products  of  aboriginal  industry,  we  have  been  inclined  to  assign 
to  the  domiciliary  class. 

MOUND  NEAR  SILVER  SPRINGS,  MARION  COUNTY. 

This  mound,  about  one  mile  in  an  easterly  direction  from  Silver  Springs,  had 
a  height  of  4  feet  2  inches,  with  a  base  diameter  of  50  feet.  A  trench  surrounding 
it,  from  which  its  material  had  been  taken,  gave  an  appearance  of  considerably 
greater  altitude  to  the  mound. 

The  mound  had  undergone  much  previous  exploration.  A  trench  had  been 
dug  on  one  side  from  the  margin  to  the  center,  and  the  upper  central  portion  had 
been  excavated  to  a  depth  of  about  2  feet. 

The  mound  was  totally  demolished,  being  dug  through,  as  is  our  habit,  at  a 
level  considerably  below  that  of  the  surrounding  territory.  Its  material  was  yellow 
sand  without  stratification,  but  with  the  usual  intermingling  of  particles  of  char 
coal.  In  various  parts  of  the  mound,  especially  on  the  base,  were  small  pockets  of 
sand  showing  marks  of  fire. 

Burials  were  of  the  bunched  variety,  but  human  remains,  when  found,  were 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA.     85 

in  the  last  stage  of  decay.     At  one  point  on  the  base  was  a  layer  of  intermingled 
bones  representing  a  number  of  individuals.     No  human  remains  were  saved. 

EARTHENWARE. 

Great  numbers  of  sherds,  usually  undecorated,  some,  however,  bearing  traces 
of  red  pigment,  and,  in  two  instances  at  least,  ornamented  with  graceful  curves 
and  lines,  were  met  with.  A  number  of  fragmentary  vessels  were  found  which  had 
evidently  been  interred  in  an  incomplete  coildition,  as  careful  search  failed  to  reveal 
the  missing  portions.  This  utilizing  of  otherwise  useless  earthenware  was  very  pre 
valent  among  the  makers  of  the  mounds  in  Florida.  Fragments  of  various  vessels 
showed  perforation  of  the  base  subsequent  to  manufacture. 

One  small  vessel  somewhat  broken  (Plate  LXXXV,  Fig.  1),  with  everted 
brim  and  stamped  decoration  on  the  body,  had  four  feet  for  support,  a  somewhat 
uncommon  occurrence  in  Florida,  though  we  have  met  with  it  on  the  St.  Johns  in 


Fio.  71.     Diagram  of  iucised  delineation.     Mound  near  Silver  Springs.     (Full  size.) 

the  mound  at  Racey  Point,  and  seen  basal  supports  on  fragments  from  the  mound 
at  Tick  Island  and  on  vessels  from  Murphy  Island. 

In  a  portion  of  the  mound  at  some  distance  from  previous  excavations,  so  far 
as  the  most  careful  investigation  could  determine,  at  3  feet  from  the  surface,  in 
sand  where  the  closest  scrutiny  could  discover  no  previous  disturbance,  was  found,  in 
our  immediate  presence,  a  portion  of  a  small  bowl  of  earthenware.  The  remainder 
was  not  discovered,  and  was  probably  not  present  in  the  mound.  The  hollow  por 
tion  of  this  fragment  contained  a  solid  mass  of  roots  probably  belonging  to  scrub 
palmettoes  on  the  surface  of  the  mound.  Upon  examination  by  us  it  became 


86     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS   OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA. 

apparent  that  incised  figures  were  on  the  fragment,  one  probably  representing  a 
deer,  and  that  others  had  been  on  the  missing  portion,  since  incomplete  figures  were 
at  the  broken  margins  at  either  side.  A  close  inspection  showed  that  a  certain 
amount  of  soot,  gained  doubtless  during  the  entirety  of  the  vessel  while  in  use  for 
culinary  purposes,  still  remained  upon  the  fragment,  and  that  the  incised  figures 
were  cut  through  this  soot,  or  after  the  abandonment  of  the  vessel  for  domestic  use. 
It  is,  therefore,  evident  either  that  the  decoration  is  aboriginal,  but  made  subsequent 
to  the  vessel's  final  contact  with  the  names,  or  that  our  judgment  as  to  undisturbed 
sand,  in  the  absence  of  stratification,  is  at  fault,  and  that  the  fragment  was  a  recent 
addition  to  the  mound,  left  by  some  previous  investigator.  It  is  shown  diagram- 
matically  in  Fig.  71. 

We  have  submitted  this  fragment  to  Professor  Putnam  and  append  the  opinion 
of  this  high  authority. 

"  Thanks  for  allowing  me  to  see  the  fragment  of  pottery  from  the  Florida 
mound.  It  is  a  very  interesting  piece  of  incised  work,  and  again  shows  the  rude 
character  of  the  art  of  the  people  who  buried  their  dead  in  the  sand  mounds  of 
Florida. 

"  That  the  cutting  is  not  recent  I  think  is  shown  by  the  edges  of  the  lines, 
and  also  by  the  fact  that  in  the  lines  forming  the  front  leg  and  foot  there  are  little 


FIG.  72.     Incised  delineation  of  human  figure.     Shell-heap  at  Mulberry  mound.     (Full  size.) 

particles  of  mica  that  seem  to  be  cemented  to  the  bottom  of  the  incised  lines.  Now 
this,  it  seems  to  me,  could  not  have  happened  if  the  cutting  were  of  recent  date 
and  the  bowl  put  into  the  mound  only  a  short  time  ago. 

"  There  is  every  indication,  to  my  mind,  that  the  carving  was  made  by  the 
people  who  buried  their  dead  in  that  mound,  and  no  indication  of  fraudulent  work. 
The  whole  thing  is  in  keeping  with  what  you  have  found  before. 

"  We  took  a  piece  of  similar  pottery  from  Florida  and  cut  lines  upon  it  of  the 
same  character,  and  we  found  that  in  making  a  very  slight  line  we  cut  into  the 
black  interior  of  the  pottery,  and  the  edges  were  sharp.  Whereas,  the  edges  of 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA.     87 

your  specimen  are  smoothed  over,  as  if  considerable  handling  had  taken  place  since 
they  were  cut.  If  you  will  try  this  on  a  piece  of  the  same  kind  of  pottery  you 
will  at  once  see  the  difference  between  the  lines  on  the  bowl  and  the  lines  that  you 
cut." 

The  incised  delineation  of  an  animate  object  on  earthenware  has  never  before 
been  encountered  by  us  in  a  sand  mound,  and  but  once  previously  in  a  shell-heap. 

In  the  island  shell-heap  constituting  Mulberry  mound,  Orange  County,  Florida, 
from  a  depth  of  10  feet,  were  thrown  out,  in  our  presence,  two  fragments  of  the 
same  earthenware  vessel,  which,  upon  being  fitted  together,  showed  incised  delinea 
tion  representing  a  human  head  and  portion  of  the  body,  the  remainder  of  the 
body  having  been  on  parts  of  the  vessel  not  left  in  that  portion  of  the  shell-heap. 

Incised  delineation  of  the  human  form  on  early  earthenware,  it  may  be  inter 
esting  to  know,  is  believed  to  be  represented  by  this  specimen  alone  within  the 
limits  of  the  United  States  and  probably  beyond.  We  have  given  in  '"The  Ameri 
can  Naturalist"1  a  full  account  of  our  work  at  Mulberry  mound,  and  have  borrowed 
from  it,  for  comparison,  a  representation  of  the  incised  figure  (Fig.  72).  Certain 
parts  of  the  delineation,  represented  in  the  cut  as  less  distinct  than  others,  are  not 
of  unequal  depth,  but  still  contain  a  certain  amount  of  soot,  a  relic  of  pre-historic 
fires.  This  point,  of  considerable  interest,  shows  the  decoration  to  have  been  made 
during  the  entirety  of  the  pot,  and  not  to  have  been  scratched  on  a  detached  sherd 
subsequent  to  breakage. 

STONE. 

Flakes  .and  chippings  of  chert  were  present  in  the  mound  in  unusual  numbers. 
Four  arrowheads  and  one  drill,  also  of  chert  were  met  with  separately. 

A  small  polished  cutting  implement  of  compact  ingneous  rock  was  in  caved  sand- 
On  the  base,  near  the  margin  of  the  mound,  was  a  small  object  of  sandstone, 
probably  an  ornament,  a  little  short  of  2  inches  in  length.      Its  shape  is  ellipsoidal, 
flattened  on  one  side.     A  median  groove  is  confined  to  the  curved  portion. 

In  immediate  association,  4.5  feet  from  the  surface,  lay  eleven  masses  of  chert 
showing  cleavage,  varying  in  length  from  3  to  9  inches,  evidently  material  for  im 
plements.  Some  were  several  pounds  in  weight. 

SHELL. 

At  depths  showing  them  to  be  of  original  deposit  were  two  chisels  probably 
from  the  lip  of  Strombus  and  a  gouge  from  the  body  whorl  of  Fulgur.  One  chisel 
lay  with  human  remains.  The  other  was  with  a  copper  bead. 


Three  cylindrical  beads  of  copper  were  found  during  the  excavation,  all  appar 
ently  of  original  deposit.     These  differed  from  beads  of  the  same  material  found  by 

1  August,  1893. 


88     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,   FLORIDA. 

us  on  the  St.  Johns,  on  which  river  all  beads  are  of  thin  sheet  copper  or  of  wood, 
limestone,  or  shell,  overlaid  with  a  thin  coating  of  metal.  The  copper  beads  from 
this  mound  were  more  massive  and  while  the  method  of  manufacture  by  hammering 
to  overlap  the  edges  was  the  same,  the  thickness  of  copper  employed  was  greater. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  tooth  of  a  fossil  shark  lay  3  feet  from  the  surface.  A  notch  on  either 
side  had  served  as  a  medium  of  attachment  by  cord  or  sinew. 

REMARKS. 

In  no  portion  of  the  mound  was  anything  found  in  any  way  indicating  contact 
with  the  Whites. 

GAMBLE  MOUND,  MARION  COUNTY. 

This  mound,  about  one-quarter  mile  from  Stark's  Landing,  on  property  of  Mr. 
R.  Gamble,  of  Tallahassee,  to  whom  we  wish  to  express  our  indebtedness,  was  de 
molished  by  us  during  three  days  in  February,  1895.  We  take  occasion  here  to 
return  thanks  also  to  Mr.  T.  J.  McKinnon,  superintendent  of  the  grove. 

The  Mound,  long  under  cultivation,  had  been  reduced  to  a  height  of  5  feet  8 
inches.  The  diameter  of  the  base,  increased  by  material  from  summit  and  sides, 
was  76  feet. 

The  mound  was  composed  of  yellow  sand,  unstratified,  with  the  usual  particles 
of  charcoal  intermingled.  In  the  sand  were  present  throughout  the  mound,  pockets 
of  fire-whitened  sand  and  deposits  of  charcoal.  One  at  least  of  these  deposits  of 
charcoal  had  been  made  subsequent  to  the  extinction  of  the  fire,  as  sand  unaffected 
by  the  flames  was  mingled  with  the  charcoal. 

Throughout  the  mound,  at  about  the  level  of  the  surrounding  territory,  was  a 
layer  of  an  approximate  thickness  of  3  inches,  composed  of  fire-whitened  sand, 
mingled  with  small  particles  of  charcoal.  At  places  in  this  layer,  pockets  of  sand, 
nearly  one  foot  in  thickness,  showing  marks  of  fire,  and  containing  considerable 
charcoal  were  met  with. 

No  occurrence  of  human  remains  was  noted  until  well  on  toward  the  central 
portion  of  the  mound,  when  fragmentary  bones,  indicating  the  bunched  burial, 
were  found,  though  by  no  means  in  numbers  proportionate  to  the  size  of  the  mound. 

Sherds,  plain  and  stamped  in  squares,  were  met  with  at  every  depth ;  also 
several  portions  of  vessels  with  base  supports.  In  the  eastern  margin  of  the 
mound,  on  the  base,  2  feet  from  the  surface,  was  an  undecorated  bowl  4.5  inches 
in  diameter  at  aperture  and  about  three  inches  high.  The  base  has  two  perfora 
tions  made  subsequent  to  manufacture,  one  through  the  agency  of  a  pointed  tool. 

Six  and  one-half  feet  from  the  surface  was  an  ellipsoidal  object  of  shell  with 
out  perforation.  These  objects  are  not  uncommon  in  the  mounds. 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA.     89 


Five  and  one-half  feet  from  the  surface  was  a  pendent  ornament  wrought  from 
a  nodule  of  chert,  globular  in  shape,  with  grooved  projection  for  suspension. 
Traces  of  bitumen  surround  the  groove.  The  ornament  lay  in  a  pocket  of  fire- 
whitened  sand,  though  no  traces  of  heat  are  upon  it.  and  the  presence  of  bitumen 


Fie.  73.  Pendant  made  from 
chert  nodule.  Gamble  mound. 
(Full  size.) 


Fig.  75.  Pendant  of  sili- 
cified  fossil  bone.  Gamble 
mound.  (Full  size.) 


Fio.  74.  Pendent  ornament.    Gamble  mound. 
(About  full  size.) 

shows  the  deposit  to  have  been  made  after  the  extinction  of  the  fire.  Length,  about 
2.5  inches;  maximum  diameter,  1.7  inches  (Fig.  73). 

A  graceful  pendant  of  slate,  of  a  type  not  met  with  by  us  elsewhere,  was 
recovered  from  previously  disturbed  sand.  Former  explorers  state  that  from  the 
small  excavation  made  by  them,  an  exactly  similar  ornament  was  recovered.  The 
shape  of  the  pendant  is  cylindrical,  swelling  out  somewhat  at  and  below  the  center 
and  then  tapering  to  a  point.  A  groove  surrounds  the  upper  portion.  Length, 
3.7  inches;  maximum  diameter,  .5  of  one  inch  (Fig.  74). 

A  pendant,  probably  of  silicified  fossil  bone,  in  shape  somewhat  suggesting 
our  "  Indian  clubs"  used  for  exercise,  though  thicker  at  the  handle,  has  a  length 
of  2.6  inches,  a  maximum  diameter  of  .75  of  one  inch.  Considerable  bitumen  sur 
rounds  the  groove  and  upper  portion  of  the  ornament  (Fig.  75). 

12  JOURN.  A.  N.  S.  PHILA..  VOL.  X. 


90     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA. 

From  a  depth  of  5  feet  came  a  pendant  of  a  sedimentary  rock  approaching 
Agalmatolitc.  somewhat  similar  in  shape  to  the  preceding.  The  lower  portion  is 
missing.  Its  length  is  o.o  inches;  its  maximum  diameter,  .8  of  one  inch  (Fig.  76). 

A   pendent  ornament  of  sedimentary  rock,  elliptical   in   outline,  flattened  on 


1 


FIG.  78.  Pendant  of 
igneous  rock.  Gamble 
moimd.  ( Kull  size.) 


FIG.  76.     Pendent  ornament.     Gam 
ble  mound.     (Full  size.) 


Flu.  77.     Pendent  ornament.     Gam 
ble  mound.     (Full  size.) 


one  side,  with  a  small  portion  missing  above  the  groove,  has  a  length  of  'l.'-\  inches 
with  a  maximum  diameter  of  .G  of  one  inch  (Fig.  77). 

A  pear-shaped  pendant  of  some  igneous  rock,  with  a  length  of  l.'J  inches  and 
a  maximum  thickness  of  1  inch,  came  from  a  depth  of  3.5  feet.  This  specimen  also 
has  bitumen  adhering  to  the  upper  portion.  A  part  of  one  side  is  missing  (Fig.  78). 

On  the  base,  in  a  pocket  of  lire-whitened  sand,  was  an  ovoid  pendant  of  lime 
stone,  unfortunately  somewhat  injured  by  contact  with  a  spade.  Length,  '2  inches; 
maximum  width,  1.4  inches. 

So  far  as  carefoul  search  would  indicate,  none  of  these  pendants  was  associated 
with  human  remains  though  it  is  of  course  possible  that  all  traces  of  the  former 
presence  of  bones  may  have  disappeared.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  the  inhumation 
of  pendants  seemed  to  prevail  in  this  mound  and  that  these  pendants  were  uni 
formly  grooved  for  suspension,  bitumen,  upon  certain  occasions  at  least,  having 
been  used  to  aid  in  attaching  the  cord  or  sinew.  We  shall  see  later  how,  in  the 
mound  at  Tavares,  the  pendants,  as  a  rule,  had  perforation,  in  which  case  the  use 
of  bitumen  would  be  needless  and  it  was  apparently  not  employed. 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAIIA    RIYFR,   FLORIDA.      91 

A  sheet  of  mica,  2  inches  by  ">  inches,  came  from  a  depth  showing  original 
deposit.  Sheets  of  mica,  so  abundant  in  the  low  mounds  between  Jacksonville  and 
the  sea  but  scarcely  found  in  the  larger  ones,  are  of  very  rare  occurrence  and  found 
only  in  small  quantities  in  the  mounds  of  the  St.  Johns  river  above  Jacksonville. 

Two  and  one  half  feet  from  the  surface  was  a  portion  of  a  superb  lance  head  or 
dagger,  of  chalcedony.  0  inches  in  length.  Judging  from  the  point  of  fracture,  the 
weapon  may  have  been  of  considerably  greater  size.  Weapons  of  this  character 
are  virtually  absent  from  the  mounds  of  the  Ocklawaha  and  of  the  St.  Johns  though 
the  type  is  not  unknown  in  Florida.  Some  years  ago  a  hoard  of  similar  ones  was 
unearthed  by  the  workmen  on  a  construction  train  not  far  from  Palatka.  The 
find,  seven  in  all.  if  our  memory  serves,  was  unfortunately  scattered,  though  one. 
which  we  have  seen,  is  in  the  possession  of  Andrew  E.  Douglass,  Esq..  of  the 
Museum  of  Natural  History.  Now  York,  and  one  of  the  smaller  specimens,  which 
also  we  have  examined,  of  milk  white  chert.  11  inches  in  length,  is  owned  by  Mr. 
Fry.  of  Palatka. 

An  arrow  head  of  chalcedony  lay  at  a  depth  of  C.o  feet.  Throughout  the 
mound  were  various  chippings  of  chert. 

COPPER. 

In  caved  sand  was  a  bead  .25  of  one  inch  in  length,  of  copper  somewhat 
thicker  than  the  usual  sheet  copper  of  the  mounds  of  the  St.  Johns. 

A  massive  bead,  or  rather  a  pendant  of  copper,  has  a  maxi 
mum  diameter  of  .86  of  one  inch;  maximum  thickness  of  band,  .'-'ti 
of  one  inch;  maximum  width  of  band,  .08  of  one  inch.  A  groove 
showing  continued  wear  was  apparent  on  the  inner  surface  (Fig. 
79).  During  all  our  work  on  the  St.  Johns  river  we  have  found 
no  ornaments  of  copper  other  than  those  wrought  from  thin 
sheets,  and  why  beads  of  the  Ocklawaha.  which  are  made  in  the 

Kid.  79.  Pendant  .  .  .„ 

of  copper    Gamble   same  milliner,  as  their  overlapping  margins  testily,  are  more  gen- 
mound.  (Full wise.)    erously  supplied  with  metal,  we  are  unable  to  decide1. 

CONCLUSION'S. 

Nothing  from  the  Gamble  mound  suggested  an  origin  other  than  pre-Columbian. 
HOPSON  MOUND,  LAKE  COUNTY. 

At  Emeralda,  in  the  orange  grove  of  Robert  L.  llopson,  Esq.  of  that  place,  to 
whom  we  are  indebted  for  cordial  permission  to  investigate,  was  an  interesting 
little  mound.  It  had  long  been  under  cultivation,  and  had  suffered  considerable 
diminution  in  height  through  the  agency  of  the  plow.  It  had  sustained  but  little 
previous  examination.  Its  height  was  4  feet  2  inches;  its  base  diameter,  42  feet. 
It  was  carefully  dug  through  at  a  level  considerably  below  that  of  the  surrounding 


92     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA. 

territory,  since,  in  nearly  all  the  Florida  moxinds  examined  by  us,  some  sort  of 
excavation  seems  to  have  been  made  previous  to  the  erection  of  the  mound  proper. 
The  upper  3  feet  was  composed  of  yellow  sand,  beneath  which  was  sand  of  a 
dark  color  to  a  depth  of  2  to  3  feet.  Charcoal  was  abundant,  and  numerous  fire 
places  were  encountered  throughout  the  mound.  Several  pockets  of  sand  colored 
red  with  Hematite  were  at  various  depths. 

HUMAN    REMAINS. 

Human  remains  were  numerous.  The  usual  bunched  burial  prevailed,  with, 
in  addition,  isolated  bones  scattered  throughout  the  mound.  None  was  in  condition 
to  justify  preservation. 

One  foot  from  the  surface,  though  of  course  originally  at  a  considerably  greater 
depth,  lay  a  skull  in  fragments,  the  shaft  of  a  femur,  a  large  part  of  a  humerus, 
and  an  os  innominatum,  entirely  unaffected  by  fire,  in  immediate  association  with 
fragments  of  charcoal  and  small  portions  of  calcined  bones,  some  unmistakably 
human  and  others  too  small  for  identification. 

At  various  other  points  in  the  mound  were  fragments  of  human  bones  affected 
by  fire. 

STONE. 

Six  polished  "  celts,"  as  a  rule  unassociated,  were  found  separately  at  from  3 
to  6  feet  from  the  surface.  None  exceeded  4  inches  in  length. 

At  various  depths  in  the  mound,  separately,  were  twelve  arrow  points,  while 
together,  about  6  feet  down,  almost  in  contact  with  a  fire-place,  were  four  arrow 
heads.  These  sixteen  projectile  points,  all  of  chert  or  of  chert  breccia,  were  in 
each  case  in  a  more  or  less  imperfect  condition.  We  have  noticed  in  many  mounds 
a  strong  aboriginal  tendency  to  be  rid  of  imperfect  objects  through  mortuary 
deposit  and  to  discharge  a  duty  with  as  little  cost  as  possible. 

Separately,  were  three  pendants  of  quartz,  grooved  for  suspension,  none  over 
two  inches  in  length,  one  tapered  to  a  point,  somewhat  resembling  an  arrow  head. 

At  at  least  half  a  dozen  points  in  the  mound,  sometimes  associated  with  human 
remains  and  with  other  objects,  were  sheets  of  mica,  some  so  large  as  3.5  inches  by  5 
inches.  One  had  the  form  of  a  circle  with  a  diameter  of  3.25  inches. 

A  few  clappings  of  chert  were  scattered  throughout  the  mound. 

SHELL. 

At  various  points,  always  with  human  remains,  were  beads  of  shell,  at  times  in 
considerable  numbers.  Some  were  very  minute,  others  nearly  1  inch  in  length. 

As  a  rule,  separately  and  at  all  depths,  were  a  number  of  ellipsoidal  objects  of 
shell,  imperforate,  none  over  1  inch  in  length. 

A  considerable  number  of  mussel  shells  were  at  one  point  in  the  mound. 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA.     93 

COPPER. 

A  small  tubular  bead  of  copper  lay  3.5  feet  from  the  surface,  while,  with  a 
large  number  of  shell  beads  1  foot  down,  were  minute  fragments  of  thin  sheet 
copper. 

With  human  remains,  o  feet  2  inches  from  the  surface,  lay  an  ornament  of 
sheet  copper,  1.3  inches  by  1.5  inches.  Four  flutings  ran  parallel  to  the  lesser 
diameter.  Unfortunately,  this  object  was  badly  injured  by  a  blow  of  a  spade. 

Five  feet  from  the  surface,  with  human  remains  and  associated  with  many 
shell  beads,  a  thick  sheet  of  mica,  a  small  shark's  tooth,  three  canines  of  some  large 
carnivore  (one  perforated  for  suspension,  the  others  broken  at  a  point  preventing 
determination),  a  pendant  of  quartz,  and  a  small  ellipsoidal  object  of  shell,  was  a 
disc  of  thin  sheet  copper,  about  .66  of  one  inch  in  diameter,  resembling  certain 
ones  taken  by  us  from  Mt.  Royal,  and  figured  in  one  instance  in  our  account  of 
that  mound. 

EARTHENWARE. 

The  chief  feature  of  this  interesting  little  mound  was  the  earthenware  with 
which  it  was  filled.  Sherds  were  abundant  at  all  points,  \vhile  vessels  in  fragments 
were  numerous,  and  unbroken  ware  not  uncommon.  In  the  case  of  one  sherd, 
interesting  raised  decoration  was  noticed  around  the  aperture ;  another  bore  incised 
ornamentation,  but  with  these  two  exceptions,  the  sherds,  when  ornamented, 
showed  the  use  of  crimson  pigment  exclusively,  usually  consisting  of  a  uniform 
coat. 

No  gritty  ware  was  present  in  the  mound,  and.  as  a  rule,  the  pottery  was  of 
very  inferior  quality. 

Three  feet  from  the  surface,  unassociated,  was  a  small  globular  pendant  of 
earthenware,  with  projecting  neck  grooved  for  suspension. 

Three  neatly  made  beads  of  earthenware  of  about  the  same  size,  the  dimen 
sions  of  one  being  1.1  inches  by  1  inch  by  .8  of  one  inch,  lay  together  with  a  por 
tion  of  an  arrow  head,  3.5  feet  from  the  surface. 

Many  vessels,  some  evidently  of  considerable  size,  were  represented  by  por 
tions  only,  and  these,  being  in  comparatively  small  fragments,  were  not  preserved. 

An  interesting  vessel,  scaphoid  in  shape,  imperforate  as  to  the  base,  with 
inverted  rim,  had  a  uniform  coat  of  crimson  pigment  inside  and  out.  It  was  found 
unassociated,  3  feet  from  the  surface.  Length,  2.8  inches;  width,  2.3  inches; 
average  height,  1.4  inches:  diameter  of  aperture,  2  inches  by  1.3  inches  (Plate 
LXXXVI,  Fig.  1). 

An  undecorated  circular  bowl,  with  perforation  of  bottom  made  after  baking, 
lay  apparently  unassociated,  3  feet  8  inches  from  the  surface.  Height,  2.2  inches; 
diameter  of  opening.  4.2  inches. 

Near  a  fire-place,  with  charred  human  remains,  5  feet  2  inches  from  the 
surface,  was  a  vessel  of  inferior  ware  but  of  interesting  design,  consisting  of  two 


94     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA. 

nearly  circular  bowls  joined,  originally  with  projecting  handles  1  inch  in  length, 
one  from  the  outside  of  each.  One  handle  was  missing  through  breakage.  Each 
bowl  had  a  portion  of  the  base  knocked  out  after  completion.  Dimensions  of  one 
bowl,  applying  to  both  in  the  main  :  height,  1.4  inches;  length,  2.8  inches;  width, 
2.4  inches  (Plate  LXXXV,  Fig.  2).  This  unusual  form  of  a  double  bowl,  may  be 
a  highly  conventionalized  form  representing  the  open  bivalve.  We  have  seen  the 
type  before,  upon  one  occasion  from  Mt.  Royal,  and  several  times  from  the  low 
mounds  bordering  the  St.  Johns  between  Jacksonville  and  the  sea.  General 
Thruston  figures  l  an  artistic  double  vessel  much  more  directly  pointing  to  the  shell, 
as  from  Tennessee. 

Two  and  one-half  feet  from  the  surface  was  a  globular  bowl  with  perforation 
of  base  after  baking.  A  small  hole  on  either  side  of  the  mouth  had  served  for 
purposes  of  suspension.  This  vessel,  with  a  height  of  3.7  inches,  a  maximum  dia 
meter  of  4.5  inches  and  a  diameter  at  aperture  of  3  inches,  was  completely-  filled 
with  mussel  shells.  We  do  not  recall  the  discovery  by  us  before  of  any  object  in 
vessels  from  Florida  mounds  with  the  exception  of  certain  pebbles  in  one  instance, 
and  an  occasional  vessel  of  inferior  size  placed  within  a  larger  one. 

A  globular  vessel  and  a  bowl,  both  undecorated  and  both  wanting  a  portion  of 
the  bottom  through  breakage  done  after  manufacture,  lay  together,  4  feet  8  inches 
from  the  surface. 

Six  feet  down,  beneath  human  remains,  was  an  imperforate  howl  with  oval 
section,  decorated  with  red  pigment  inside  and  out.  Depth,  2  inches;  length,  4.2 
inches;  breadth,  3.6  inches. 

An  unassociated  vessel,  3  feet,  6  inches  down,  with  oval  aperture  and  with 
portion  of  bottom  knocked  out,  had  a  coating  of  red  pigment  on  the  outside  and  on 
the  inside  a  band  of  the  same  color  3  to  4  inches  in  width,  beginning  at  the  margin. 
Height,  8  inches;  average  diameter  of  aperture,  10.5  inches.  This  vessel  was 
somewhat  broken  by  pressure  of  sand. 

With  fragments  of  a  large  bowl  1.5  feet  from  the  surface,  was  an  urn  with 
flaring  rim  and  red  pigment  decoration  on  outside  and  part  way  down  the  interior. 
Height,  7.7  inches;  maximum  diameter,  8.8  inches;  width  of  top  with  rim,  6.8 
inches;  diameter  of  aperture,  5.5  inches.  A  portion  of  the  bottom  is  missing 
through  breakage  after  manufacture.  Near  this  urn  lay  an  undecorated  globular 
vessel  of  ordinary  type. 

One  foot  three  inches  from  the  surface,  with  human  remains  immediately 
above,  were  two  flaring  basins  of  the  same  pattern  and  of  approximately  the  same 
size,  recalling  in  shape  a  basin  from  Thursby  Mound  shown  in  Plate  XXVI,  Fig.  1, 
in  Part  II  of  our  report  on  the  St.  Johns  mounds.  Traces  of  red  pigment  are 
apparent  on  both  sides  of  one  and  interiorly  on  the  other.  Height,  4.5  inches  ;  max 
imum  diameter,  including  the  flaring  rim,  18  inches.  One  bowl  lay  face  down 
while  the  other,  also  inverted,  lay  upon  it,  covering  about  one  half  its  base. 

'  "Antiquities  of  Tennessee." 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA.     95 

Associated  with  human  remains,  about  5  feet  from  the  surface,  were  two 
trough-shaped  vessels  of  earthenware.  With  them  was  another  of  similar  pattern 
with  one  of  the  shorter  ends  omitted  in  manufacture,  while  a  fourth  showed 
marked  concavity  of  one  shorter  end  (Plate  LXXXV,  Fig.  f>).  These  specimens  of 
mortuary  "  freaks"  in  earthenware  had  each  a  perforation  in  the  base  made  previous 
to  baking.  Traces  of  red  pigment  were  apparent  on  some.  But  one  of  the  four 
was  in  perfect  condition.  Largest.  0  inches  by  3.5  inches  by  1.5  inches  high. 
Smallest.  4.1  inches  by  2.8  inches  by  1.2  inches  high. 

Five  feet  from  the  surface,  though  not  at  the  same  point  as  the  vessels  just 
described,  the  smaller  inverted  within  the  other,  were  two  trough-shaped  vessels 
nearly  similar  to  the  others  but  imperforate  as  to  the  base.  The  larger.  5.6  inches 
by  3.1  inches  by  1.4  inches  high,  has  traces  of  red  pigment  inside  and  out  (Plate 
LXXXV.  Figs.  3  and  4).  The  smaller  is  undecorated.  Its  dimensions  are 
approximately  5  inches  by  2.5  inches  by  1.3  inches  high.  We  have  never  before 
met  with  this  curious  type  of  earthenware. 

At  various  depths  were  four  other  vessels  of  ordinary  type,  somewhat  crushed 
bv  weight  of  sand  but  capable  of  restoration. 


Nothing  in  anv  way  indicating  contact  with  the  Whites  was  discovered  in  the 
Hopson  mound. 

MOUND  NEAH  HiGM-iv,  LAKE   COUNTY. 

About  one  mile  south  of  Higley.  on  property  belonging  to  Mr.  Hart,  in  whose 
absence  we  are  indebted  to  Mr.  W.  J.  Young,  of  Higley.  for  permission  to  investi 
gate,  was  a  m  mud  in  pine  woods,  within  sight  of  the  western  bank  of  Lake  Yale.  5 
feet  4  inches  in  height,  with  a  diameter  of  base  of  05  feet.  This  mound  had  pre 
viously  been  dug  into  to  a  considerable  extent,  the  immediately  central  portion 
having  been  removed.  The  mound  had  doubtless  in  former  times  been  of  consider 
ably  greater  altitude. 

It  was  totally  destroyed. 

It  was  composed  of  yellow  sand  with  occasional  pockets  of  white  sand  and 
sand  scarlet  from  admixture  of  Hematite. 

Human  remains,  fragmentary  and  much  decayed,  were  infrequently  met  with. 

Sherds  were  mostly  plain,  though  one  of  good  material  showed  very  neat 
square  stamped  decoration,  separated  at  intervals  by  parallel  perpendicular  incised 
lines  (Plate  LXXXVI,  Fig.  2). 

With  human  remains,  2  feet  from  the  surface,  about  1  foot  apart,  were  two 
polished  hatchets.  One  arrow  head  came  from  a  depth  of  3  feet.  From  a  like 
depth  was  taken  an  oblong  Hat  perforated  pendant  of  shell,  with  rounded  corners, 
1.7  inches  long,  1.2  inches  wide,  .7  of  one  inch  thick. 

Beyond  these,  no  objects  of  interest  were  encountered. 


96     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA. 


REMARKS. 

The  amount  of  previous  investigation  sustained  by  this  mound  renders  accur 
ate  conclusions  impossible. 

MOUND  NEAR  UMATILLA,  LAKE  COUNTY. 

This  mound,  about  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Umatilla,  lay  in  the  grove 
of  Mr.  R.  McS.  Byrnes.  Mr.  J.  F.  Holton,  superintendent  of  the  grove,  kindly 
consented  to  the  investigation.  The  mound  had  long  been  under  cultivation,  and 
was  evidently  much  reduced  in  height.  It  had,  moreover,  sustained  much  pre- 


FIG.  80.     Pendant  of  shell  with  antero-posterior 
section.    Mound  near  Umatilla.    (Full  size.) 


FIG.  81.    Pendant  of  shell.    Mound 
near  Umatilla.    (Full  size.) 


vious  examination  with  a  reported  yield  of  numerous  objects  of  interest.  Its 
height  was  4  feet;  its  basal  diameter,  46  feet.  It  was  completely  dug  through. 

No  stratification  was  apparent,  yellow  sand  with  the  usual  admixture  of  char 
coal  composing  the  mound.  Occasional  fire-places  were  scattered  throughout. 
Scattering  pockets  of  white  sand  and  numerous  streaks  and  pockets  of  sand,  pink 
from  the  use  of  the  red  oxide  of  iron,  were  present. 

Human  remains  in  the  usual  bunched  form  of  burial  were  abundant. 

From  depths  indicating  original  deposit  came:  one  small  bowl  of  earthenware, 
imperforate  as  to  base,  with  single  perforation  for  suspension  on  either  side  below 
the  margin  and  with  punctate  and  incised  linear  decoration,  as  shown  in  Plate 
LXXXVI,  Fig.  3,  height,  23  inches;  maximum  diameter,  2.4  inches;  a  small 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAIIA   RIVER,   FLORIDA.     97 

rude  undecorated  oblong  vessel  with  rounded  corners  and  perforation  oi'  base  sub 
sequent  to  completion;  separately  three  arrow  heads,  thin  and  carefully  made  ; 
two  shell  pendants,  one  wrought  from  the  lip  of  the  great  marine  univavle,  Strombus 
gigas  (Fig.  80),  the  other,  diamond  shaped,  from  the  body  whorl  of  the  conch 
(Fulgur}  (Fig.  81)  ;  a  number  of  shell  beads  with  human  remains. 

REMARKS. 

Nothing  from  this  mound  gave  evidence  of  other  than  aboriginal  art. 
MOUND   NEAR  FORT  MASOX.  LAKE  COCXTY. 

About  one  mile  northwest  of  Fort  Mason,  just  south  of  Lake  Yale,  on  the 
property  of  Mr.  G.  I).  Jackson,  was  a  mound  50  feet  in  diameter  of  base  and  2  feet 
in  height,  though  considerable  depressions  from  which  material  had  been  taken, 
gave  the  mound  the  appearance  of  greater  altitude. 

The  mound  was  completely  demolished,  the  excavation  being  carried  to  a  level 
considerably  lower  than  that  of  the  surrounding  territory.  Mr.  W.  J.  (iladwell, 
manager  of  the  property,  to  whom,  in  the  absence  of  the  owner,  we  are  indebted 
for  permission  to  dig,  informed  us  that  the  land  containing  the  mound  had  been 
cleared  by  him  two  years  previously,  and  that  subsequent  cultivati<  n  had  lessenc d 
the  height  of  the  mound  by  about  one  foot. 

Unlike  other  mounds  demolished  by  us  on  the  Ocklawaha,  the  method  of 
burial  in  this  mound  was  in  anatomical  order  in  various  forms  of  flexion.  In  all, 
fifteen  skeletons  were  encountered,  in  such  condition,  however,  that  no  crania  were 
preserved.  In  the  majority  of  cases,  skeletons  lay  from  1  foot  to  IS  inches 
beneath  the  surface. 

Sherds  were  fairly  numerous,  but  not  in  association  with  human  remains. 
They  lay  loose  in  the  sand,  and  were  probably  gathered  with  it  from  the  surface 
during  the  formation  of  the  mound.  The  majority  were  undecorated  ;  the  square 
stamp  appeared  upon  one  or  two  occasions,  and  once  a  punctate  decoration. 

With  one  burial  was  an  iron  spike  ;  with  another,  an  iron  or  steel  hunting 
knife  9  inches  in  length,  including  the  projection  for  the  handle,  no  other  trace  of 
which  remained.  Both  knife  and  spike  were  badly  afiected  bv  rust. 

Three  skeletons  had  each  one  polished  stone  "celt"  in  association.  Another 
"celt"  lay  loose  in  the  sand. 

With  a  skeleton,  in  contact  with  the  lower  jaw  and  cervical  vertebra1,  were  : 
beads  of  shell  and  numerous  minute  shells  (Olivella]  longitudinally  perforated  for 
use  as  beads;  a  carbonized  ball  about  1  inch  in  diameter,  of  bark  or  some  kindred 
material  many  times  rolled  upon  itself;  a  tubular  bead  of  sheet  silver  with  over 
lapping  edges,  1.3  inches  in  length  and  .o  of  one  inch  in  diameter,  and  a  tubular 
bead  of  sheet  copper  2  inches  in  length  and  .25  of  one  inch  in  diameter.  Whether 
this  copper  bead  was  wrought  from  metal  obtained  from  the  Whites  or  was  a 

13  JOURN.  A.  K.  S.  PHILA.,  VOL.  X. 


98     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA. 

purely  aboriginal  ornament  made  from  native1  copper,  we  have  not  determined  by 
analysis,  which,  however,  could  readily  be  done. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  explain  to  the  reader  who  may  not  have 
seen  our  monograph  on  aboriginal  copper,  contained  in  Part  II  of  our  report  on  the 
St.  Johns  River  mounds,  that  chemical  analysis  can  readily  distinguish  native 
copper  from  the  product  of  smelting  of  any  ores  obtainable  in  Europe  during  any 
possible  mound-building  period.  In  the  first  place,  native  copper,  in  use  among 
our  aborigines,  was  purer  than  the  copper  resulting  from  early  smelting  processes. 
And  again,  lead,  almost  universally  present  in  the  products  of  European  smelting, 
is  never  found  in  native  copper.  Moreover,  an}-  copper  that  has  been  in  a  state  of 
fusion  contains  a  small  percentage  of  combined  oxygen  which  is  entirely  absent 
from  native  copper.  Still  further,  most  native  copper  is  free  from  arsenic,  while  in 
Europe  the  copper  supply  was  obtained  from  highly  arsenical  sulphide  ores.  Even 
now,  arsenic  cannot  be  totally  eliminated  from  copper  and  was  much  less  readily 
excluded  in  early  times. 

To  return  to  the  mound.  A  large  shell  bead  wrought  from  the  lip  of  Strornbus 
lay  with  a  skeleton,  while  elsewhere  in  the  mound  were  a  Fulgur  perversum  and  a 
curved  cylindrical  ornament  of  shell,  with  tapering  ends,  possibly  for  use  in  the 
lobe  of  the  ear. 

On  the  surface  of  the  mound  was  a  copper-  or  brass-coated  convex  bit  of  wood, 
almost  circular,  with  double  perforation. 

Throughout  the  mound  were  four  arrow  heads  and  a  number  of  chippings  and 
Hakes,  of  chert;  also  a  small  chipped  "celt"  somewhat  broken. 

With  human  remains  was  a  small  bowl  with  stamped  decoration,  the  bottom 
of  which  had  been  knocked  out  subsequent  to  manufacture. 


In  this  interesting  little  mound  we  have  a  good  example  of  the  tumuli  raised 
in  undoubtedly  post-Columbian  times2  for  mortuary  purposes.  Here  we  have  the 
polished  ''celt"  at  the  same  depth  in  the  mound  as  iron,  and  other  objects  pro 
bably  of  European  origin  are  found  side  by  side  with  articles  purely  aboriginal.  It 
is  interesting  to  note  the  survival  of  the  perforation  of  the  base  in  pottery — the 
killing  of  the  vessel —  to  a  comparatively  late  period. 

MOUND  ox  LAKE  EUSTIS,  LAKE  COUNTY. 

On  the  northern  shore  of  Lake  Eustis,  about  one  mile  west  of  Fort  Mason,  in 
a  field  belonging  to  Mr.  J.  F.  Walker,  were  two  low  mounds  about  fifty  yards 

1  The  reader  will  recall  that  native  copper  is  copper  fouud  in  nature,  with  no  elements  in  chemical 
combination. 

2  In  all  the  mounds  examined  by  us  in  Florida,  including  virtually  every  known  tumulus  on  the  St. 
Johns  river,  in  addition  to  those  described  in  this  paper,  we  have  encountered  but  two  mounds — this,  and 
one  Tiear  Bayard  Point,  Clay  County,  about  4  feet  in  height — where  articles  of  European  make  were  other 
than  superficial.  July,  1895. 


CERTAIN  SAND   MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA   RIVER,  FLORIDA.     99 

apart.  The  larger  one,  the  nearer  to  the  lake,  was  completely  dug  through  by 
permission  of  the  owner.  Its  height  was  2  feet  5  inches;  its  base  diameter.  48  feet. 

The  most  careful  search  failed  to  reveal  any  traces  of  human  remains. 

Loose  throughout  the  sand  were  :  numbers  of  chips  and  Hakes,  of  chert ;  two 
bits  of  quartz ;  a  hone  of  sandstone  with  double  groove,  and  several  rude  cutting 
and  piercing  implements  of  chipped  chert,  whole  and  fragmentary. 

MOUXD  NEAR   TAVARKS.  LAKE  COUNTY. 

In  the  "scrub,"  about  one  mile  southwest  from  the  town  of  Tavares,  the 
county  seat  of  Lake,  was  a  mound  about  5  feet  in  height  and  about  50  feet  across 
the  base.  It  had  sustained  considerable  previous  investigation.  It  was  completely 
dug  down  by  us. 

Its  composition  was  peculiar.  The  northern  portion,  unstratified.  was  of  pure 
white  sand,  while  the  section  to  the  south  was  made  up  of  sand  of  a  brownish 
yellow  color.  The  usual  charcoal  and  fire-places  were  present. 

Bunched  burials  were  in  considerable  numbers.  The  very  fragmentary  con 
dition  of  the  bones  rendered  useless  any  attempt  at  preservation. 

No  whole  vessels  were  discovered  nor  any  represented  by  a  lull  complement 
of  fragments.  Sherds  were  fairly  numerous  and  at  times  indicative  of  large  vessels. 
Undecorated  fragments  and  those  adorned  with  red  pigment  predominated.  One, 
with  somewhat  striking  ornamentation,  is  shown  in  Plate  LXXXVI.  Fig.  4. 

A  portion  of  a  small  oblong  dish  with  rounded  corners  had  the  somewhat 
unusual  addition  of  feet. 

No  copper  was  met  with  in  the  mound  but  a  portion  of  a  human  clavicle  dyed 
a  bright  green  indicated  the  former  presence  of  the  metal. 

Two  and  one  half  feet  from  the  surface,  with  human  re 
mains,  together,  were  a  number  of  shell  beads  and  four  ellip 
soidal  objects  shaped  from  columella'  of  marine  univalves,  3 
inches  to  5  inches  in  length.  Singly,  in  various  portions  of 
the  mound,  were  five  similar  objects  of  shell,  two  pear-shaped 
pendants  of  like  material,  and  two  shell  beads  of  considerable 


A  cube  of  galena.  1.4  inches  by  1  inch  by  .7  of  one  inch, 
apparently  shows  wear  on  one  side. 

As  in  the  case  of  the  Gamble  mound,  the  feature  of  the 
mound  near  Tavares  was  pendent  ornaments. 
FIO.  82.  Pendant  of  ig-  A  graceful  ellipsoidal    pendant  of  fine-grained,  compact 

neounroek.  Mound  near     rOck  of  igneous  origin.   1.3    inches   in   length,   is   perforated 
Tavaren.     (Full  si/.e.)  -i  c  •/!•<•  c 

at  one  end  lor  suspension  (rig.  Q&),     Another,  ol    a  compact 

crystalline  igneous  rock.  Dolerite  or  Dioritc,  pear-shaped,  has  a  rim  for  suspension. 
A  small  pendant  of  banded  red  jasper  lay  loose  in  the  sand. 
Found  separately,  but  from  the  same  portion  of  the  mound,  were  four  pendent 


100     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA   RIVER,   FLORIDA. 

ornaments,  two  of  syenitic  and  two  of  sedimentary  rock,  ranging  in  length 
between  3.4  inches  and  2.9  inches,  each  perforated  at  one  end,  three  transversely, 
one  from  front  to  back,  and  more  or  less  rounded  at  the  other  end  (Figs. 
83,  84,  85,  86).  In  one  instance,  one  side  has  an  incised  longitudinal  line.  In 
the  case  of  three  others,  the  line  is  represented  by  a  deep  groove.  One  is  highly 
polished.  This  type  is  new  to  us.  though  we  have  figured1  something  similar  in 
Part  T  as  coming  from  the  low  mound  in  the  pine  woods  back  of  Duval's,  Lake 
County,  a  duplicate  of  which  as  to  type  but  larger,  is  shown  in  "The  Archaeological 
Collection  of  the  United  States  National  Museum,"  Charles  Ran,  figure  322,  page  90. 


FIG.  84.  FIG.  80. 

Pendent  ornaments.     Mound  near  Tavares.     (Full  size.) 


Fro.  86. 


An  interesting  discovery,  since  the  type,  we  believe,  is  hitherto  unreported 
from  Florida,  was  an  effigy  of  igneous  rock,  probably  Diorite,  representing  a  bird 
at  rest.  The  length  is  2.1  inches;  maximum  width,  1.2  inches.  The  wings  are 
clearly  defined,  while  the  tail  spreads  out  to  afford  a  means  for  suspension.  The 
head,  unfortunately,  is  missing.  This  type,  the  bird  amulet,  is  well  known  to 


'Op.  cit. 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,   FLORIDA.     101 


archaeologists  as  found  in  many  sections,1  though  this  particular  specimen  oflers 
many  points  of  variation  from  the  forms  usually  encountered  (Fig.  87). 

Separately,  in  two  cases  with  human  remains  and  once  in  caved  sand,  were 
three  polished  "'celts."  one  having  a  length  of  10  inches. 

At  various  depths  were:  several  fragmentary  arrow  heads  of  chert;  two  small 
and  gracefully  shaped  [joints  of  like  material  ;  a  lance  head  of  chipped  chert,  4.7 


Fio.  87.     Bird  amulet  of  igneous  rock. 
Mound  near  Tavaree.    (Full  sine.) 


FlG.  88.     Polished  spear  head  of  red  jasper.     Mound 
near  Tavaies.     (Full  size.) 

inches   in    length;  another  slightly   larger,  of  red  jasper,   with    a   high   polish   on 
either  side,  a  very  unusual  feature  (Fig.  88). 

A  number  of  clappings  of  chert  lay  scattered  throughout  the  mound. 

We  see  no  reason  to  ascribe  to  this  mound  an  origin  other  than  pre-Columbian. 

1  "  Notes  on  Primitive  Man  in  Ontario,"  David  Boyle,  page  <>7,  it  xrq. 
"  Antiquities  of  the  Southern  Indians,"  C.  C.  Jones,  page  H74,  et  seq. 
"  Ancient  Monuments,  Miss.  Valley,"  Squier  and  Davis,  page  239. 
"  Smithsonian  Arch.  Coll.,"  Charles  Rau,  page  08. 
"  Primitive  Industry,"  Abbott,  chap.  XXVI. 


102     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,    FLORIDA. 

though  a  much  smaller  mound  in  the  neighborhood,  completely  dug  through  by 
relic  hunters,  is  generally  reported  to  have  contained  articles  of  brass  or  of  bronze, 
while  at  the  time  of  our  visit  glass  beads  were  present  on  its  surface. 

MOUND  AT  BARCLAY'S,  LAKE  COUNTY. 

On  the  southernmost  extremity  of  Lake  Harris  is  the  property  of  Mr.  C.  M. 
Barclay,  upon  which  was  a  mound  2.5  feet  in  height  with  a  diameter  at  base  of  55 
feet.  It  had  long  been  under  cultivation.  A  trench  nearly  traversing  the  mound 
and  other  excavations  had  been  made  by  members  of  the  family  of  Mr.  Barclay,  to 
whom  our  thanks  are  due  for  permission  to  demolish  the  mound. 

The  mound  was  composed  of  yellowish  and  brownish  sand  intermingled;  the 
"dumps,"  or  individual  loads,  being  unusually  well  marked.  In  the  northern 
most  portion  streaks  and  pockets  of  brick-red  sand  were  present  as  was  the  usual 
charcoal  throughout,  often  in  pieces  of  considerable  size. 

But  few  interments  were  encountered  by  us,  though  the  bunched  form, 
scattered  bones,  and  in  one  case,  an  original  burial  plainly  in  anatomical  order, 
were  present. 

At  various  depths,  always  with  human  remains,  were  five  polished  hatchets 
of  stone,  three  separately,  two  with  the  same  burial. 

Loose  in  the  sand,  were  various  flakes,  chippings  and  broken  arrow  heads,  of 
chert,  and  four  small,  delicate  ones  of  the  same  material. 

Sherds  were  undecorated,  or  stamped  in  squares  or  diamonds.  One  small 
vessel,  considerably  broken,  with  bottom  knocked  out.  had  beneath  the  rim  two 
encircling  lines  of  punctate  markings. 

We  obtained  from  Mr.  Barclay,  whose  son,  he  assured  us,  found  it  in  the 
mound,  a  bead  of  copper,  1.8  inches  in  length,  with  a  maximum  diameter  of  .6  of 
one  inch.  The  shape  is  nearly  ellipsoidal,  though  the  ends  do  not  agree  as  to 
diameter.  Tt  is  made  of  copper  hammered  over  in  the  usual  fashion,  and  is  more 
massive  than  any  ornament  of  copper  met  with  by  us  on  the  St.  Johns,  recalling 
in  weight  though  not  in  shape,  a  heavy  copper  ornament  from  the  Gamble  Mound. 

A  number  of  small  shells  (Olivella)  used  for  beads,  lay  with  one  skeleton. 

Two  beads  of  blue  glass  were  picked  up  on  the  immediate  surface,  hut  most 
careful  search  failed  to  reveal  any  in  the  body  of  the  mound.  One  point  noticeable 
in  the  majority  of  the  Florida  mounds  was  clearly  emphasized  in  this  one.  While 
the  height  of  the  mound  was  but  2. 5  feet  above  the  surrounding  level,  it  was  neces 
sary  to  go  down  6  feet  4  inches  from  the  surface  before  evidence  of  artificial  con 
struction  came  to  an  end,  showing  that,  before  the  building  of  the  mound,  an 
excavation  of  some  sort  had  been  made.  This  custom  obtained  upon  the  St.  Johns 
also,  where,  it  will  be  remembered,  when  mounds  were  built  upon  pre-existing 
shell-heaps,  one  layer  of  burials  was  placed  in  the  shell. 


CERTAIN  HAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA.     10:? 
RICHMOND  MOUND,   LAKK  COUNTY. 

The  Richmond  Mound,  at  Helena,  near  the  southwestern  shore  of  Lake 
Harris,  was  12  feet  high  and  90  feet  across  the  base.  Pines  of  large  size  grew 
upon  its  surface.  Though  considerable  previous  investigation  had  been  attempted 
in  a  desultory  way.  yet.  so  great  was  the  bulk  of  the  mound,  that  comparatively 
little  material  had  been  removed  and  the  mound  presented  a  symmetrical 
appearance. 

Former  explorers  and  residents  of  the  neighborhood  concurred  in  reporting 
negative  results  from  previous  investigation.  Testimony  of  this  character  in 
relation  to  mound  work  may  usually  be  accepted  with  safety. 

We  are  indebted  to  the  Reverend  John  F.  Richmond,  whose  residence  is  near 
Helena,  for  cordial  permission  to  investigate,  and  to  his  family  for  many  courtesies. 

The  mound  was  totally  demolished  during  six  and  one-half  days  of  seven  hours 
each  with  an  average  force  of  sixteen  men  surrounding  the  mound  and  throwing 
back. 

There  was  no  uniformity  of  stratification.  The  level  of  the  surrounding 
territory  was  marked  by  a  layer  of  brownish  sand  with  a  certain  intermixture  of 
charcoal  and  an  occasional  fire-place.  Above,  the  body  of  the  mound  was  com 
posed  of  yellow  sand  of  irregular  thickness  surmounted  by  a  number  of  feet  of 
brown  sand.  From  the  base  almost  to  the  summit  were  pockets  and  local  layers 
of  sand  artificially  colored  a  brick-red.  One  of  these  layers.  li<m  1  to  ('»  inches  in 
thickness,  began  on  the  southernmost  side  and  continued  at  least  half-way  through 
the  mound. 

During  the  entire  investigation,  evidence  of  not  exceeding  ten  interments, 
apparently  of  the  bunched  variety,  was  met  with.  During  the  second  day,  two 
crania  were  found  separately  at  about  3  feet  from  the  surface.  On  the  fourth,  a 
burial  was  found  9  feet  down,  while  during  the  last  day's  work  an  interment  was 
encountered  at  no  great  distance  from  the  base.  The  burials  were  all  in  the  last 
stage  of  decay,  and  were  associated  with  no  relics  of  any  sort. 

During  the  fifth  day's  work,  one  polished  stone  hatchet  was  met  with  near  the 
surface.  On  the  sixth  day.  five  were  discovered,  of  which  four  were  comparatively 
superficial,  while  one  was  in  caved  sand.  Six  arrow  heads  lay  separately,  loose  in 
the  sand,  one  at  a  depth  of  7  feet. 

Sherds  were  of  extreme  rarity.  On  the  base  with  charcoal,  were  two  frag 
ments  of  earthenware  with  a  square  stamped  decoration. 

KEMAKKS. 

The  Richmond  mound  is  another  example  of  the  mass  of  sand  sometimes 
thrown  up  for  comparatively  few  interments.  The  hatchets  found  2  or  3  feet  from 
the  top,  were  doubtless  put  in  in  a  general  way  at  the  completion  of  the  mound. 


104     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,  FLORIDA. 


One  would  look  for  more  interments  and   for   a  greater  supply  of  art  relics  in  a 
mound  of  this  size  where  such  care  was  shown  as  to  construction. 

Low  MOUND  NEAK  HELENA,  LAKE  COUNTY. 

In  the  grove  of  Messrs.  Steiner  Brothers,  near  Helena,  was  a  mound  which 
years  of  cultivation  had  reduced  to  a  height  of  less  than  2  feet  and  whose  diameter, 
excluding  later  additions  from  above,  was  about  45  feet.  We  are  indebted  to  Mr. 
William  Henry  Bennett,  superintendent  of  the  grove,  for  permission  to  investigate. 
The  mound,  which  was  entirely  dug  through  at  a  level  considerably  below  that 
of  the  surrounding  territory,  was  of  yellowish  sand,  brownish  at  places,  probably 
through  admixture  of  organic  matter. 

The  usual  fireplaces  and  fragments  of  charcotil  in  the  sand,  were  observed. 
Interments  and  art  relics  were  virtually  confined  to  the  northwest  portion  of 
the  mound,  continuing  well   in   toward  the  center,  first,  single  burials,  then  almost 
a  continuous  laver.      In  all,  fully  thirty  bodies  were  at  least  partially  represented. 
Sherds  were  abundant,  both   plain  and  decorated  with  red  pigment  and  a  i'ew 
ornamented  with  punctate  curves.      No  whole  vessels  were  discovered. 

Numbers  of  flakes,  chips  and  cores  and  imperfect  and  broken  arrow  heads  lay 
at  all  points  throughout  the  mound.  With  one  burial  were  minute  remnants  of  an 
ornament  of  thin  sheet  copper  while  with  another  were  small  fragments  of  the  metal 
with  two  ttat  oblong  bits  of  earthenware,  about  1  inch  by  1.3  inches  each,  with 
rounded  edges  and  central  perforation,  evidently  cut  from  a  broken  vessel.  These 
had  not  been  overlaid  with  the  copper  but  simply  interred  in  association  (Fig.  89.) 

With  a  single  burial,  not 
far  from  the  northwestern  mar 
gin  was  a  highly  polished  and 
beautifully  made  pendent  orna 
ment  of  a  rock  which  we  have 
not  identified  through  hesita 
tion  to  mutilate  so  beautiful  a 
specimen.  In  type  it  resembles 
one  from  the  mound  at  Tavares, 
though  in  addition  to  the  med 
ian  groove  on  one  side,  it  has  in 
cised  line  decoration  fit  the 
upper  end  while  the  lateral  per 
foration  unites  with  one  from 
the  top  to  allow  perfect  perpen 
dicularity  of  suspension. 
Length,  3  inches;  maximum 
diameter,  about  .4  of  one  inch 
(Fig.  90). 


Fio.  89.  Ornament  of  earth 
enware.  Low  mound  near 
Helena.  (Full  size.) 


Fio.  90.  Pendent  ornament. 
Low  mound  near  Helena. 
(Full  size.) 


CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER,   FLORIDA.     !<).> 

Moi'XI)    NKAK    Ol.l)    OKAlll'MI'KA.     I>AKK    (,'()UNTV. 

About  one  hall'  mile,  in  a  northwesterly  direction  from  Old  Okahuinpka.  in  the 
orange  grove  of  Robert  A.  Green.  Esq..  of'Ocala,  was  a  low  mound,  for  years  under 
cultivation  and  doubtless  inueli  reduced  in  height.  Its  altitude  at  the  time  of  its 
total  demolition  b}'  us  was  less  than  2  feet  above  the  surrounding  level  though 
most  of  the  human  remains  and  accompanying  art  relics  came  from  a  depth  of  from 


Km.  91.     Fragment  of  vessel  of  earthenware.     Low  mound  near  Old  Okuhumpku.     (Full  si/.e.) 

3  feet  to  4.5  feet  from  the  summit  of  the  mound.  The  diameter  of  the  base  was 
about  40  feet. 

The  mound  was  composed  of  brownish  sand  apparently  changed  from  the 
yellow  of  the  surrounding  territory  by  admixture  of  organic  matter.  It  was  un- 
stratified.  The  usual  scattered  bits  of  charcoal  and  fireplaces  were  present. 

Human  remains  were  numerous,  the  bunched  form  of  burial  being  indicated. 

In  this  mound,  all  art  relics  were  in  immediate  contact  with  human  remains. 
Pockets  and  streaks  of  sand  colored  by  Hematite  were  not  present. 

STONE. 

Numerous  chips  of  chert  were  present  in  the  mound,  also  one  arrow  head  of 
the  same  material. 

Seven  "  celts"  of  the  usual  rocks  were  found  separately  with  human  remains, 
and  upon  one  occasion  two  lay  in  contact  with  long  bones,  one  on  either  side  of  the 
mass. 

14  JOURN.  A.  N.  S.  PHILA.,  VOL.   X. 


1<K>     CERTAIN  SAND  MOUNDS  OF   THE  OCKLAWAIIA  RIVER,  FLORIDA. 

With  a  bunched  burial  was  a  rude  "celt"  of  sandstone,  associated  with  a 
copper  ornament. 

EARTHENWARE. 

Sherds,  plain  or  decorated  with  red  pigment,  were  very  numerous.  No  vessels, 
whole  or  approximately  so,  were  encountered. 

We  have  obtained  from  Mr.  Russell  W.  Bennett,  of  Helena,  a  sherd  which  he 
informs  us  was  ploughed  up  from  this  mound.  This  fragment  of  earthenware, 
shown  in  Fig.  91,  is  of  considerable  interest  as  possessing  the  only  plastic  effigy  of 
the  human  face  ever  seen  by  us  in  Florida.  This  face,  apparently  modeled  by 
hand,  appears  to  have  been  constructed  separately,  and  pressed  onto  the  clay  of 
the  vessel  previous  to  baking. 

The  reader  will  recall  that  this  joining  of  heads  to  earthenware  was  prevalent 
in  other  sections.  Upon  but  one  other  occasion  in  Florida  have  we  seen  a  head  of 
anv  sort  serving  as  a  decoration  on  the  side  of  a  vessel  of  earthenware  and  in  that 
case  a  portion  of  a  vessel  from  a  low  mound  near  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Johns  had 
the  head  of  a  duck,  not  added  to  it  by  pressure,  but  repousse. 


With  bones  tinged  green  from  contact  and  in  association  with  a  few  small 
shell  Ivuds  were  the  remains  of  a  long  tubular  bead  of  copper  overlaid  on  a  cylinder 
of  fibrous  wood. 

Eighteen  inches  from  the  surface  was  a  heavy  bead  of  copper  .7  of  one  inch  by 
.(»  of  one  inch,  in  contact  with  a  human  lower  jaw  which  formed  part  of  a  bunched 
burial. 

With  a  burial  about  4.5  feet  from  the  top  of  the  mound,  was  a  sheet  of  copper. 
'2.8  inches  by  0  inches,  bent  under  and  crumpled  at  one  end.  The  two  shorter  and 
one  larger  side  show  a  clean-cut  edge,  but  the  uneven  appearance  of  one  larger  side 
proves  but  a  portion  of  the  plate  to  have  been  inhumed.  The  state  of  this  copper 
sheet  precludes  inspection  of  the  entire  ornamentation  which  is  repousse  and  seems 
to  be  of  an  interesting  character,  entirely  dissimilar  from  the  usual  lines  of  semi- 
perforations.  With  it  were  bark  and  some  fibrous  material,  a  rude  "celt"  of  sand 
stone  and  a  small  core  of  chert. 

SHELL. 

With  a  burial  were  fifty-six  beads  of  shell,  many  of  unusual  size,  the  largest 
1.9  inches  in  length.  Many  were  not  symmetrical  but  were  apparently  perforated 
portions  of  great  marine  univalves  such  as  are  figured  as  massive  beads  in  Holmes' 
"Art  in  Shell."  With  the  beads  was  a  polished  stone  hatchet. 


There  seems  to  be  no  reason  to  connect  this  mound  with  a  period  subsequent 
to  the  coming  of  the  Whites. 


INDEX. 


Alicia,  low  mounds  at,  55 

Hare-lay's,  mound  at,  10:.' 
Head  of  silver,  97 
BeadH  of  earthenware,  93 
Hird  amulet,  loo 
Hroward  mound,  52 
Bruce,  K.  \V.,  11 
Hrutus  mound,  52 

Canine  teeth  imitated  in  shell,  23 

"  Celt"  of  unusual  type,  37 

Chaseville,  two  low  mounds  at,  58 

Cope,  Professor,  23 

Copper,  9,  22,  28,  33,  37,  39,  50,  55,  67,  87,  99,  102, 

KM,  KMi 

Copper-coated  earplug  of  wood,  42 
Copper  crescent,  69 
Copper  earplug,  69 
Copper,  lance  head  of,  28 
Copper,  massive  beads  of,  91,  102 
Copper,  native,  determined  by  analysis,  98 
Copper  on  tobacco  pipe,  37 
Copper,  shell-bead  overlaid  with,  34 
Copper,  shield-shaped  ornaments  of,  42 
Copj>er,  wood  bead  overlaid  with,  42 
Copper  w -rapped  in  bark  or  vegetable  fabric,  40 
Crescent  of  copper,  69 

Daniel's  Landing,  mound  at,  55 

Denton  mound,  57 

Discs  of  limestone  overlaid  with  copper,  42 

Discs  of  shell,  70 

Ditch  Creek,  mounds  near,  82 

Karplug  of  copper,  69 
Karplug  of  wood  overlaid  with  copper,  42 
Earplugs  of  limestone  overlaid  with  copper,  42 
Earthenware,  14,  25,  28,  35,  47,  48,  49,  50,  52,  ,53,  54, 

56,  57,  59,  64,  76,  85,  88,  99,  102,  106 
Earthen  ware,  perforated  discs  of,  104 

Feet  on  earthenware,  64,  85,  88,  99 
Floral  Hlufl',  low  mounds  at,  59 
Fort  Mason,  iiiouud  near,  97 
Fossil  bones  showing  workmanship,  71 


Gamble  mound,  88 

Gilbert  mound,  25 

Grant  mound,  30 

Grant  mound,  composition  of,  31 

Grant  mound,  low  mounds  south  of,  45 

Graphite,  28 

Head  modelled  from  clay,  100 

Helena,  mound  near,  104 

Higley,  mound  near,  95 

Hopson  mound,  91 

Horseshoe  Landing,  low  mounds  near,  51 

Human  molar  perforated  for  suspension,  33 

Incised  figure  on  earthenware,  85,  86 
Intrusive  deposits,  73 
Island  mound,  84 

Johnson  mound, 8 

Lake  Eustis,  mound  on,  98 
Lance  head  of  copper,  28 

Map  of  Oeklawaha  Kiver,  79 
Map  of  river  mounds  of  Duval  County,  5 
Mica,  given  the  outline  of  a  lance  point,  54 
Mica,  rare  in  the  river  mounds  south  of  Jackson 
ville,  91 

Miller,  Dr.  M.  G.,  11,  44 
Monroe  mound,  27 
Monroe  mound,  construction  of,  27 
Mound,  post-Columbian,  97 
Mounds,  certain  of  Duval  County,  list  of,  8 
Mulberry  mound,  incised  figure  from,  86,  87 
Murphy  Island,  southernmost  mound,  75 
Murphy  Island,  two  mounds  on,  63 
Mussel  shells  perforated  for  suspension,  47 
Mussel  shells  used  as  knives,  9 

Oeklawaha  Kiver,  description  of,  81 
Oeklawaha  Kiver,  mounds  of,  81 
Okahumpka,  mound  near,  105 

Palmetto  Landing,  mounds  near,  83 
Pearls,  34 

Pendants,  18,  19,   34,   38,  56,  66,   70,   72,  73,   87,  99 
100,  104 


INDEX. 


Perforation  of  ba8e  of  earthenware,  reason  for,  65 

PinB  of  bone,  21 ,  39,  7(i 

Pins  of  shell,  70 

Plastic  head  of  clay,  106 

Polished  lance  head,  101 

Post-Columbian  mound,  97 

Putnam,  Professor,  86 

Reddie  Point,  low  mounds  near,  54 
Richmond  mound,  103 

Shells  used  as  beads,  34,  102 

Sherds,  layer  of,  in  Murphy  Island  mound,  64 

Shields  mound,  9 

Shields  mound,  composition  of,  12 

Shields  mound,  earthenware  of,  14 

Shields  mound,  human  remains  in,  13 

Shields  mound,  plan  of,  10 

Silver,  bead  of,  97 


Silver  Springs,  mound  near,  84 
Spade-shaped  implements,  16 
State  of  preservation  of  bones,  32 

Tavares,  mound  near,  99 

Tobacco  pipes,  14,  20,  33,  37,  38,  42,  49,  50,  57,  59,  66 

Tobacco  pipe  with  copper  ornament  attached,  37 

Trough-shaped  vessels  of  earthenware,  95 

Tubes  of  stone,  of  natural  formation,  16,  39,  71 

Umatilla,  mound  near,  96 
Upham,  R.  P.,  Iti 

Vessel  of  earthenware  with  numerous  perforations 

of  sides,  35 

Vessel  of  earthenware  with  repoussO  duck  heads,  57 
Vessels  of  earthenware  chipped  with  pointed  tools, 

58 


JOURN.  ACAD.   NAT.  SCI.   PHJLAD.  '2ND  SER.  VOL.   X. 


PLATE  LXXI. 


MOORE:    SAND  MOUNDS  OF  DUVAL  COUNTY.  FLORIDA. 


PLATK   LXXII. 


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.lc  (URN.  ACAD.  NAT.  SCI.  PHILAD.  U'ND  SER.  VOL.  X. 


I.XXHI. 


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JOURN.  ACAD.   NAT    SCI.   PHILAD.  2ND  SER    VOL.   X. 


PLATK    ' 


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IOURN.  ACAD.   NAT.  SCI.   PHII.AI).    _'NI>  SfclR.   VOL.   X. 


LXXVI. 


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PI.ATK  I. XXVII 


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PLATE  LXXVI1I. 


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l-'LA'I  fc.  LXXXII 


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I. XXXV. 


MOORE:    SAND  MOUNDS  OF  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER.  FLORIDA. 


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